EXPRESSION OF LYMPHOCYTE KCA3.1 AND CYTOKINE IN SHR

Objectives to research the expression of intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel (KCa3.1), TNF-α mRNA and protein in lymphocyte derived from spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Methods Take SHR and Wistar rats as experimental animals, to separate peripheral blood lymphocytes in rats, using Real-time PCR and Western blot technique were used to detect the express of KCa3.1, TNF-α in SHR lymphocytes. Results (1) In SHR, the expression of KCa3.1 gene was significantly higher in lymphocytes(1.3025±0.2117 vs 0.4475±0.2012; p<0.05) compared with Wistar rats. The expression levels of TNF-α mRNA in the SHR lymphocytes were significantly increased compared with the control group (1.4257±0.1317 vs 0.3836±0.1626; p<0.05).(2) KCa3.1, TNF-α protein expression were also increased in SHR than in control(p<0.05). Conclusions The lymphocyte KCa3.1, TNF-α expression are upregulated in SHR suggesting KCa channel may contribute to the development of hypertension by lymphocyte activation.