Inflammatory Alterations to Renal Lymphatic Endothelial Cell Gene Expression in Mouse Models of Hypertension. Inflammatory Alterations to Renal Lymphatic Endothelial Cell Gene Expression in Mouse Models of Hypertension

To evaluate the specific changes that renal LECs undergo in hypertension (HTN), we performed single-cell RNA sequencing. Using the angiotensin II-induced and salt-sensitive mouse models of HTN, we isolated renal CD31+ and podoplanin+ cells from hypertensive and normotensive mice. Sequencing of these cells revealed three distinct cell types (LECs, myeloid immune cells, and an unusual third population we dubbed multipotent nephron-associated support cells) with unique expression profiles. Overall design: Mice underwent the angiotensin-II and salt sensitive models of hypertension and had their kidneys removed and aggregated per group (A2 HTN, A2 control, SS HTN, SS control). Kidneys were digested and turned to a single-cell suspension, followed by the isolation of CD31+ and podoplanin+ cells by magnetic separation. We sought to investigate the effects of hypertension on CD31+/podoplanin+ renal lymphatic endothelial cells and to investigate model-specific differences.