Role of Rac1-mediated activation of mineralocorticoid receptor in heart failure

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860546
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Cardiovascular medicine
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Ayuzawa Nobuhiro 東京大学, 先端科学技術研究センター, 特任研究員 (50459517)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 高血圧 / 心不全 / 低分子量G蛋白質 / 鉱質コルチコイド受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Activation of mineralocortcoid receptor (MR) is closely involved in the development of heart failure, and MR blockade is now an important strategy in the treatment of heart failure. However, the mechanism of MR activation in heart failure is still unclear. Recently, a small GTPase Rac1 was identified as a novel factor that is involved in MR activation in kidney diseases. In the present study, we demonstrated that Rac1 mediates MR activation in the heart using a mice model of pressure overload-induced heart failure, and that the activation of Rac1-MR pathway leads to cardiac dysfunction through indcution of oxidative stress.

Free Research Field

腎臓内科学、高血圧学