Expression level of genes encoding components of the purinergic pathway and cryopyrin in essential arterial hypertension

Abstract

Background. Increased extracellular ATP is associated with activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, production of proinflammatory cytokines and development of inflammation. Ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73, adenosine receptors located on the surface of some immune cells, participate in the regulation of extracellular ATP levels and the adenosinergic signaling pathway. However, information on the expression level of genes encoding these enzymes (ENTPD1 (CD39), NT5E (CD73)) and adenosine receptors in essential arterial hypertension (EAH) is still scarce.

Objective. Determination of the mRNA level of genes encoding proteins of the purinergic signaling pathway (ENTPD1, NT5E, ADORA2A) and the NLRP3 gene in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) of patients with EAH.

Patients and methods. The study involved 16 healthy individuals, 17 patients with EAH (stages I-II) (including 8 people before the prescription of antihypertensive drugs and 9 people taking metoprolol (25 mg/day) or bisoprolol (5-10 mg/day) for more than a year). The relative level of gene transcripts was determined by real-time PCR.

Results. The level of the ENTPD1, NT5E, ADORA2A, NLRP3 gene expression in PBL of patients with EAH was higher than in healthy people (p<0,01). The level of NLRP3 gene expression was closely associated with the relative mRNA content of the ENTPD1, NT5E, ADORA2A genes (respectively, r=0,77; 0,66; 0,72; p<0,01).

Conclusion. The formation of EAH is accompanied by an increase in the ENTPD1, NT5E, ADORA2A, NLRP3 genes expression level, which probably reflects the activation of the purinergic signaling pathway in this disease.