Chronic Ang II Infusion Induces Sex-Specific Increases in Renal T cells in Sprague Dawley Rats

Recent studies suggest that sex of the animal and T cell impact ANG II hypertension in Rag−/− mice, with females being protected relative to males. This study tested the hypothesis that ANG II results in greater increases in proinflammatory T cells and cytokines in males than in females. Male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, aged 12 wk, were treated with vehicle or ANG II (200 ng·kg−1·min−1) for 2 wk. Renal CD4+ T cells and Tregs were comparable between vehicle-treated males and females, although males expressed more Th17 and IL-17+ T cells and fewer IL-10+ T cells than females. ANG II resulted in greater increases in CD4+ T cells, Th17 cells, and IL-17+ cells in males; Tregs increased only in females. We previously showed that ANG (1–7) antagonizes ANG II-induced increases in blood pressure in females and ANG (1–7) has been suggested to be anti-inflammatory. Renal ANG (1–7) levels were greater in female SD at baseline and following ANG II infusion. Additional rats were treated with ANG II plus the ANG (1–7)-mas receptor antagonist A-779 (48 μg·kg−1·h−1) to test the hypothesis that greater ANG (1–7) in females results in more Tregs relative to males. Inhibition of ANG (1–7) did not alter renal T cells in either sex. In conclusion, ANG II induces a sex-specific effect on the renal T cell profile. Males have greater increases in proinflammatory T cells, and females have greater increases in anti-inflammatory Tregs; however, sex differences in the renal T cell profile are not mediated by ANG (1–7).