Salt-sensing mechanisms in hypertension involving the kidney, vasculature, and central nervous system have been well studied; however, recent studies suggest that immune cells can sense sodium (Na⁺). Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) including dendritic cells critically modulate inflammation by activating T cells and producing cytokines. We recently found that Na⁺ enters dendritic cells through amiloride-sensitive channels including the α and γ subunits of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and mediates nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-dependent formation of immunogenic IsoLG (isolevuglandin)-protein adducts leading to inflammation and hypertension. Here, we describe a novel pathway in which the salt-sensing kinase SGK1 (serum/glucocorticoid kinase 1) in APCs mediates salt-induced expression and assembly of ENaC-α and ENaC-γ and promotes salt-sensitive hypertension by activation of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and formation of IsoLG-protein adducts. Mice lacking SGK1 in CD11c⁺ cells were protected from renal inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and developed blunted hypertension during the high salt feeding phase of the N-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride/high salt model of salt-sensitive hypertension. CD11c⁺ APCs treated with high salt exhibited increased expression of ENaC-γ which coimmunoprecipitated with ENaC-α. This was associated with increased activation and expression of various nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase subunits. Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of SGK1 in CD11c⁺ cells prevented the high salt-induced expression of ENaC and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase. These studies indicate that expression of SGK1 in CD11c⁺ APCs contributes to the pathogenesis of salt-sensitive hypertension.

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