Beta-arrestin1 prevents preeclampsia by downregulation of mechanosensitive AT1-B2 receptor heteromers
U Quitterer, X Fu, A Pohl, KM Bayoumy, A Langer… - Cell, 2019 - cell.com
U Quitterer, X Fu, A Pohl, KM Bayoumy, A Langer, S AbdAlla
Cell, 2019•cell.comPreeclampsia is the most frequent pregnancy-related complication worldwide with no cure.
While a number of molecular features have emerged, the underlying causal mechanisms
behind the disorder remain obscure. Here, we find that increased complex formation
between angiotensin II AT1 and bradykinin B2, two G protein-coupled receptors with
opposing effects on blood vessel constriction, triggers symptoms of preeclampsia in
pregnant mice. Aberrant heteromerization of AT1-B2 led to exaggerated calcium signaling …
While a number of molecular features have emerged, the underlying causal mechanisms
behind the disorder remain obscure. Here, we find that increased complex formation
between angiotensin II AT1 and bradykinin B2, two G protein-coupled receptors with
opposing effects on blood vessel constriction, triggers symptoms of preeclampsia in
pregnant mice. Aberrant heteromerization of AT1-B2 led to exaggerated calcium signaling …
Summary
Preeclampsia is the most frequent pregnancy-related complication worldwide with no cure. While a number of molecular features have emerged, the underlying causal mechanisms behind the disorder remain obscure. Here, we find that increased complex formation between angiotensin II AT1 and bradykinin B2, two G protein-coupled receptors with opposing effects on blood vessel constriction, triggers symptoms of preeclampsia in pregnant mice. Aberrant heteromerization of AT1-B2 led to exaggerated calcium signaling and high vascular smooth muscle mechanosensitivity, which could explain the onset of preeclampsia symptoms at late-stage pregnancy as mechanical forces increase with fetal mass. AT1-B2 receptor aggregation was inhibited by beta-arrestin-mediated downregulation. Importantly, symptoms of preeclampsia were prevented by transgenic ARRB1 expression or a small-molecule drug. Because AT1-B2 heteromerization was found to occur in human placental biopsies from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, specifically targeting AT1-B2 heteromerization and its downstream consequences represents a promising therapeutic approach.
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