Androgen-dependent regulation of human angiotensinogen expression in KAP-hAGT transgenic mice

We previously reported a novel transgenic model expressing human angiotensinogen from the kidney androgen-regulated protein promoter, and demonstrated sexually dimorphic expression. Herein, we investigated the hormonal regulation of this transgene. Testosterone increased transgene expression in female mice in a dose- and time-dependent manner and was not detectable 3-days after treatment was halted. High doses of estrogen were required to induce the transgene. Expression of transgene mRNA decreased after castration of male transgenic mice. As in females, however, transgene expression could be induced after administration of testosterone. Flutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist, dose dependently blocked transgene expression in males and blunted the induction caused by testosterone in females. Neither testosterone nor estrogen altered the proximal tubule cell-specific expression of the transgene. The data suggest that the level of transgene expression in this model can be controlled temporally and in magnitude by manipulating the levels of androgen. The fortuitous androgen regulation of this transgene can be used as a molecular "on-off" switch to control transgene expression and potentially manipulate blood pressure levels in this model.