Differential gene expression of bradykinin receptors 1 and 2 in peripheral monocytes from patients with essential hypertension

Bradykinin participates in various hypertensive processes, exerted via its type 1 and type 2 receptors (BKR1 and BKR2). The aim of the study was to investigate BKR1 and BK2R gene expression in peripheral monocytes in patients with essential hypertension compared with healthy individuals. Seventeen hypertensive patients (9 males, age 56±7 years) and 12 healthy individuals (7 males, age 55±6) participated. Mononuclear cells isolated using anti-CD14+ antibodies and mRNAs of BKR1 and BKR2 were estimated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Both BKR1 and BKR2 showed significantly upregulated gene expression in the group of hypertensive patients. Specifically, BKR1 gene expression was 142.1±42.2 in hypertensives versus 20.2±8 in controls (P=0.024) and BKR2 was 1222.2±361.6 in hypertensives versus 259.5±99.1 in controls (P=0.038). Antihypertensive treatment resulted in a decrease in BKR1 (from 142.1±42.2 to 55.2±17.1, P=0.065) and in BKR2 (from 1222.2±361.6 to 256.8±81.8, P=0.014) gene expression. BKR1 and BKR2 gene expression on peripheral monocytes is upregulated in essential hypertension. This may lead to functional changes in monocytes and contribute to the development of target organ damage in hypertensive patients.