Comparative transcriptional profiling of renal cortex in rats with inherited stress-induced arterial hypertension and normotensive Wistar Albino Glaxo rats

BACKGROUND: The renal function plays a leading role in long-term control of arterial pressure. The comparative analysis of renal cortex transcriptome in ISIAH rats with inherited stress-induced arterial hypertension and normotensive WAG rats was performed using RNA-Seq approach. The goal of the study was to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to hypertension and to detect the pathways contributing to the differences in renal functions in ISIAH and WAG rats. RESULTS: The analysis revealed 716 genes differentially expressed in renal cortex of ISIAH and WAG rats, 42 of them were associated with arterial hypertension and regulation of blood pressure (BP). Several Gene Ontology (GO) terms significantly enriched with DEGs suggested the existence of the hormone dependent interstrain differences in renal cortex function. Multiple DEGs were associated with regulation of blood pressure and blood circulation, with the response to stress (including oxidative stress, hypoxia, and fluid shear stress) and its regulation. Several other processes which may contribute to hypertension development in ISIAH rats were: ion transport, regulation of calcium ion transport, homeostatic process, tissue remodeling, immune system process and regulation of immune response. KEGG analysis marked out several pathways significantly enriched with DEGs related to immune system function, to steroid hormone biosynthesis, tryptophan, glutathione, nitrogen, and drug metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study provide a basis for identification of potential biomarkers of stress-sensitive hypertension and for further investigation of the mechanisms that affect renal cortex function and hypertension development. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-015-0306-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.