Elevated Blood Pressure Linked to Primary Hyperaldosteronism and Impaired Vasodilation in BK Channel–Deficient Mice

TLDR

Elevated blood pressure is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and the BK channel is thought to regulate vascular tone and the renin‑angiotensin‑aldosterone system. Loss of the BK channel α subunit causes hypertension driven by hyperaldosteronism, low potassium, and heightened arterial tone, indicating that BK channel dysfunction in the adrenal cortex can underlie certain forms of hyperaldosteronism.

Abstract

Background— Abnormally elevated blood pressure is the most prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The large-conductance, voltage- and Ca 2+ -dependent K + (BK) channel has been proposed as an important effector in the control of vascular tone by linking membrane depolarization and local increases in cytosolic Ca 2+ to hyperpolarizing K + outward currents. However, the BK channel may also affect blood pressure by regulating salt and fluid homeostasis, particularly by adjusting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Methods and Results— Here we report that deletion of the pore-forming BK channel α subunit leads to a significant blood pressure elevation resulting from hyperaldosteronism accompanied by decreased serum K + levels as well as increased vascular tone in small arteries. In smooth muscle from small arteries, deletion of the BK channel leads to a depolarized membrane potential, a complete lack of membrane hyperpolarizing spontaneous K + outward currents, and an attenuated cGMP vasorelaxation associated with a reduced suppression of Ca 2+ transients by cGMP. The high level of BK channel expression observed in wild-type adrenal glomerulosa cells, together with unaltered serum renin activities and corticotropin levels in mutant mice, suggests that the hyperaldosteronism results from abnormal adrenal cortical function in BK −/− mice. Conclusions— These results identify previously unknown roles of BK channels in blood pressure regulation and raise the possibility that BK channel dysfunction may underlie specific forms of hyperaldosteronism.