A novel SCFA receptor, the microbiota, and blood pressure regulation

Abstract

The maintenance of blood pressure homeostasis is a complex process which is carefully regulated by a variety of inputs. We recently identified two sensory receptors (Olfactory receptor 78 and G protein couple receptor 41) as novel regulators of blood pressure. Both Olfr78 and Gpr41 are receptors for short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and we showed that propionate (a SCFA) modifies blood pressure in a manner which is differentially modulated by the absence of either Olfr78 or Gpr41. In addition, propionate modifies renin release in an Olfr78-dependent manner. Our study also demonstrated that antibiotic treatment modulates blood pressure in Olfr78 null mice, indicating that SCFAs produced by the gut microbiota likely influence blood pressure regulation. In this addendum, we summarize the findings of our recent study and provide a perspective on the implications of the interactions between the gut microbiota and blood pressure control.

Keywords: :

• short chain fatty acid
• blood pressure
• cardiovascular
• renal
• Gpr41
• Gpr43
• olfactory

10.4161/gmic.27492

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflict of interest was disclosed.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by NIH ROO DK081610 (to Pluznick JL) and a Gottschalk Award from the American Society of Nephrology. The author would like to thank Dr Michael Caplan and members of the Caplan and Pluznick laboratories for helpful discussions.