Disruption of the Ang II type 1 receptor promotes longevity in mice

The renin-angiotensin system plays a role in the etiology of hypertension and the pathophysiology of cardiac and renal diseases in humans. Ang II is the central product of this system and is involved in regulating immune responses, inflammation, cell growth, and proliferation by acting through Ang 11 type 1 receptors (AT, and AT(2)). Here, we show that targeted disruption of the Agtr1a gene that encodes AT(1A) results in marked prolongation of life span in mice. Agtr1a(-/-) mice developed less cardiac and vascular injury, and multiple organs from these mice displayed less oxidative damage than wild-type mice. The longevity phenotype was associated with an increased number of mitochondria and upregulation of the prosurvival genes nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) and sirtuin 3 (Sirt3) in the kidney. In cultured tubular epithelial cells, Ang H downregulated Sirt3 mRNA, and this effect was inhibited by an AT, antagonist. These results demonstrate that disruption of AT(1) promotes longevity in mice, possibly through the attenuation of oxidative stress and overexpression of prosurvival genes, and suggests that the Ang II/AT(1) pathway may be targeted to influence life span in mammals.