Identification of primate renal salt-responsive gene networks that differ by blood pressure phenotype

Sodium-lithium countertransport activity (SLC) is an intermediate phenotype for salt sensitive hypertension; elevated SLC corresponds to increased risk of hypertension. Genetic epidemiology studies indicate that SLC is heritable in humans and nonhuman primates; however, little is known about genetic determinants explaining variation in SLC. In this study we identified dietary salt-responsive gene networks in baboon kidneys and salt-responsive networks that differ between baboons with normal and high blood pressure phenotypes. Methods: Baboons with normal SLC (NSLC) or high SLC (HSLC) were subjected to a low sodium (LS) diet and a high sodium (HS) diet for 6 weeks each, kidney biopsies were collected after each diet and whole genome expression profile data were subjected to pathway and network analysis.