Posttranscriptional Control of BNP Gene Expression in Angiotensin II–Induced Hypertension

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) plasma concentrations are raised in patients with heart failure. In several experimental models of cardiac overload, however, BNP mRNA and plasma BNP peptide levels are normal, despite the persistent increase in blood pressure and ventricular hypertrophy. In this study, the role of transcriptional mechanisms in the regulation of BNP gene expression were studied in angiotensin (Ang) II–induced hypertension by injecting DNA constructs containing the BNP promoter (−2200 to 75 bp of the transcriptional start site) linked to luciferase reporter into rat myocardium. Ang II was administered to conscious rats via intravenous infusion for 2 hours or by subcutaneous minipumps for 6 hours, 12 hours, 3 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks. Ang II increased blood pressure and cardiac mass and induced changes in diastolic function. The left ventricular BNP mRNA levels increased 2.2-fold (P <0.001) at 2 hours and peaked at 12 hours (5.2-fold, P <0.001). Thereafter, BNP mRNA levels decreased (1.8-fold induction at 3 days, P <0.05) and returned to control levels at 1 week, despite persistent hypertension and myocardial hypertrophy. Left ventricular BNP peptide concentrations followed the changes in BNP mRNA levels. The BNP promoter was activated 2.7-fold (P <0.05) at 2 hours and remained upregulated up to 2 weeks (2.8-fold, P <0.05) during Ang II infusion, except at 12 hours. These results indicate that posttranscriptional control plays a major role in the regulation of ventricular BNP gene expression in Ang II–induced hypertension.