Quantitative trait loci associated with angiotensin II and high-salt diet induced acute decompensated heart failure in Balb/CJ mice

• Genetic background of different mouse strains determines their susceptibility to disease. We have previously shown that Balb/CJ and C57BL/6J mice develop cardiac hypertrophy to the same degree when treated with a combination of angiotensin II and high-salt diet (ANG II+ Salt). but only Balb/CJ show impaired cardiac function associated with edema development and substantial mortality. We hypothesized that the different response to ANG II +Salt is due to the different genetic backgrounds of Balb/CJ and C57BL/6J. To address this we performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of second filial generation (F2) of mice derived from a backcross between Balb/CJ and first filial generation (Fl) of mice. Cardiac function was measured with echocardiography, glomerular filtration rate using FITC-inulin clearance, fluid and electrolyte balance in metabolic cages, and blood pressure with tail-cuff at baseline and on the fourth day of treatment with ANG II+Salt. A total of nine QTLs were found to be linked to different phenotypes in ANG II + Salt-treated F2 mice. A QTL on chromosome 3 was linked to cardiac output. and a QTL on chromosome 12 was linked to isovolumic relaxation time. QTLs on chromosome 2 and 3 were linked to urine excretion and sodium excretion. Eight genes located at the different QTLs contained coding nonsynonymous SNPs published in the mouse genome database that differ between Balb/CJ and C57BL/6J. In conclusion. ANG II+Salt-induced acute decompensation in Balb/CJ is genetically linked to several QTLs, indicating a multifaceted phenotype. The present study identified potential candidate genes that may represent important pathways in acute decompensated heart failure.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

acute decompensated heart failure

angiotensin II

genetic susceptibility

high-salt diet

QTL

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)