Abnormal CD161

Hypertension is considered an immunologic disorder. However, the role of the IL-17 family in genetic hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) has not been investigated.We tested the hypothesis that enhanced TWe measured expression of the CD161 surface marker on splenocytes in SHRs and normotensive control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats from birth to adulthood. We compared expression of IL-17A and IL-17F in splenic cells under different conditions. We then determined the functional effect of these cytokines on vascular reactivity. Finally, we tested whether pharmacologic inhibition of RORγt can attenuate hypertension in SHRs.SHRs exhibited an abnormally large population of CD161SHRs have a markedly enhanced potential for RORγt-driven expression of proinflammatory and prohypertensive IL-17F in response to innate immune activation. Increased RORγt and IL-17F levels contribute to SHR hypertension and might be therapeutic targets.