Immune Cells Involved with High Blood Pressure

In summary, high blood pressure can have a significant impact on overall health and is prevalent in over 1 billion people globally. Traditional treatments may not be effective for all cases, but a new approach targeting immune cells has shown promising results in reducing blood pressure levels in mice. However, it remains to be seen how well this treatment would work on people with different causes of high blood pressure.
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BillTre
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High blood pressure can affect health in many ways.
More than 1 billion people worldwide have high blood pressure, which promotes heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage, dementia, and other ailments.
No one treatment can control it in all cases.
Treating immune cells may help control it.
Science mag news article here.
 
Biology news on Phys.org
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It's fairly easy to give mice hypertension. Just regularly dose them with the hormone angiotensin II. But mixing a molecule called 2-HOBA into the animals' drinking water returns their blood pressure almost to normal, vascular biologist David Harrison of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville and colleagues have found. Now, that observation could open an innovative approach to treating hypertension in people.

How well does angiotensin II treatment recapitulate real cases of high blood pressure. If most people have cases of high blood pressure caused by different factors than high angiotensin II levels, the population that would respond to such a treatment could be limited.
 
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What are immune cells?

Immune cells are cells that make up the body's immune system, which helps protect the body from infection and disease. These cells include white blood cells, such as T cells and B cells, as well as other cells like macrophages and natural killer cells.

How do immune cells contribute to high blood pressure?

Immune cells can contribute to high blood pressure by causing inflammation in the blood vessels. This inflammation can lead to the formation of plaque, which can narrow the blood vessels and increase blood pressure. Immune cells can also produce substances that constrict blood vessels, further raising blood pressure.

Which immune cells are specifically involved in high blood pressure?

There are several types of immune cells that are involved in high blood pressure, including T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. T cells and B cells produce inflammatory molecules, while macrophages and dendritic cells can contribute to plaque formation in the blood vessels.

Can changes in lifestyle affect immune cells and blood pressure?

Yes, changes in lifestyle can affect immune cells and blood pressure. For example, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce inflammation in the body and improve overall cardiovascular health. This may also lead to a decrease in blood pressure.

Are there any medications that target immune cells to treat high blood pressure?

Yes, there are medications that target immune cells to treat high blood pressure. These include anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, which can help reduce inflammation in the blood vessels. Additionally, certain blood pressure medications, such as ACE inhibitors, can also have an effect on immune cells.

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