Salt Sensitivity of Angiogenesis Inhibition–Induced Blood Pressure Rise

In response to salt loading, Na+ and Cl− accumulate in the skin in excess of water, stimulating skin lymphangiogenesis via activation of the mononuclear phagocyte system cell-derived vascular endothelial growth factor-C–vascular endothelial growth factor type 3 receptor signaling pathway. Inhibition of this pathway results in salt-sensitive hypertension. Sunitinib is an antiangiogenic, anticancer agent that blocks all 3 vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and increases blood pressure. We explored the salt dependency of sunitinib-induced hypertension and whether impairment of skin lymphangiogenesis is an underlying mechanism. Normotensive Wistar–Kyoto rats were exposed to a normal or high salt with or without sunitinib administration. Sunitinib induced a 15 mm Hg rise in telemetrically measured blood pressure, which was aggravated by a high-salt diet (HSD), resulting in a decline of the slope of the pressure–natriuresis curve. Without affecting body weight, plasma Na+ concentration or renal functi...