High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) in Angiotensin II induced hypertension

Hypertension is the most critical predisposing factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. While effective pharmacological control of hypertension using angiotensin receptor blockers has been implemented, the clinical course of the disease remains progressive. Consequently, new and innovative approaches for treating hypertension are needed. A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. Our lab has shown that blocking inflammatory molecules and their transcription factor, nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-kB), within the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) attenuates sympathetic activity and hypertension. However, it remains unknown how inflammation is activated during the development of hypertension. We proposed that the interaction between the inflammatory cytokine protein high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and its toll-like receptor, TLR4, results in the up-regulation of NF-kB, thereby contributing to the...