Researchers from the University of Alberta have designed a new interference RNA (RNAi) against targets involved in hypertension. The RNAi has been shown to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAMs), which may assist in the reduction of blood pressure in a wide range of hypertensive patients.
Based on both in vitro and in vivo models in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR), the researchers have established that RNAi inhibition of one or more molecules of the MMP-7/ADAM-12/ADAM-17 network has resulted in the reduction of blood pressure. The delivery of MMP-7 specific antisense oligonucleotides in SHR resulted in attenuation of angiotensin II-induced hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy (inhibited ADAM-12 overexpression), while the delivery of ADAM-17 and MMP-7 specific antisense oligonucleotides in SHR prevented angiotensin II-induced hypertension and the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.