Low dose chronic angiotensin II induces selective senescence of kidney endothelial cells

Here we evaluated the contribution of cellular senescence to the effect of chronic exposure to low dose angiotensin II in a mouse model that mimics the initiation of hypertension. We utilized the INK-ATTAC (p16ink4a - Apoptosis Through Targeted Activation of Caspase 8) mouse model that allows for conditional elimination of p16ink4a -dependent senescent cells by administration of AP20187. INK-ATTAC mice received continuous low doses of angiotensin II over 3 weeks and AP20187 vs vehicle. In the kidneys increased expression of ATM, p15 and p21 matched with angiotensin II induction of senescence-associated secretory phenotype genes MMP3, FGF2, IGFBP2, and tPA. AP20187-mediated elimination of p16-dependent senescent cells prevented physiologic, cellular and molecular responses to angiotensin II. We conclude that angiotensin II induces a relatively selective senescence transformation of renal endothelial cells that could provide a novel therapeutic target for senolytic drugs as alternative treatment options for hypertension and resulting tissue damage. Overall design: Kidney mRNA profiles of ATTAC c57 mice treated with ANGII and/or AP20187