Integrin CD11b Contributes to Hypertension and Vascular Dysfunction Through Mediating Macrophage Adhesion and Migration

Background: Leukocyte adhesion to endothelium is an early inflammatory response and is mainly controlled by the β2-integrins. However, the role of integrin CD11b/CD18 in the pathogenesis of hypertension and vascular dysfunction is unclear. Methods: Hypertension was established by angiotensin II (490 ng/kg·per min) or deoxycorticosterone acetate salt. Hypertensive responses were studied in CD11b-deficient (CD11b -/- ) mice, bone marrow transplanted and wild-type (WT) mice that were administered anti-CD11b neutralizing antibody or agonist leukadherin-1. Blood pressure was monitored with tail-cuff method and radiotelemetry. Blood and vascular inflammatory cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Aortic remodeling and function were examined using histology and aortic ring analysis. Cell adhesion and migration were evaluated in vitro. The relationship between circulating CD11b + immune cells and hypertension was analyzed in patients with hypertension. Results: We found that CD11b and CD18 expression as well as the CD45 + CD11b + CD18 + myeloid cells were highly increased in the aorta of angiotensin II-infused mice. Ablation or pharmacological inhibition of CD11b in mice significantly alleviated hypertension, aortic remodeling, superoxide generation, vascular dysfunction, and the infiltration of CD11b + macrophages through reducing macrophage adhesion and migration. These effects were confirmed in WT mice reconstituted with CD11b-deficient bone marrow cells. Conversely, angiotensin II-induced hypertensive response was exacerbated by CD11b agonist leukadherin-1. Notably, circulating CD45 + CD11b + CD18 + myeloid cells and the ligand levels in hypertensive patients were significantly higher than in normotensive controls. Conclusions: We demonstrated a critical significance of CD11b + myeloid cells in hypertension and vascular dysfunction. Targeting CD11b may represent a novel therapeutic option for hypertension.