A primitive type of renin-expressing lymphocyte protects the organism against infections

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 7251
• Main Authors: Belyea, Brian C., Santiago, Araceli E., Vasconez, Wilson A., Nagalakshmi, Vidya K., Xu, Fang, Mehalic, Theodore C., Sequeira-Lopez, Maria Luisa S., Gomez, R. Ariel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 31-03-2021; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/250/2502; 631/250/2504; Animals; Bacteria - immunology; Bacterial Infections - immunology; Blood pressure; Cell Differentiation - immunology; Dehydration; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic - immunology; Homeostasis; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hypotension; Infections; Kidneys; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes - immunology; Lymphocytes B; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; multidisciplinary; Renin; Renin - genetics; Renin - immunology; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Septic shock
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86629-w

The hormone renin plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte homeostasis. Normally, renin is synthesized by juxtaglomerular (JG) cells, a specialized group of myoepithelial cells located near the entrance to the kidney glomeruli. In response to low blood pressure and/or a decrease in extracellular fluid volume (as it occurs during dehydration, hypotension, or septic shock) JG cells respond by releasing renin to the circulation to reestablish homeostasis. Interestingly, renin-expressing cells also exist outside of the kidney, where their function has remained a mystery. We discovered a unique type of renin-expressing B-1 lymphocyte that may have unrecognized roles in defending the organism against infections. These cells synthesize renin, entrap and phagocyte bacteria and control bacterial growth. The ability of renin-bearing lymphocytes to control infections—which is enhanced by the presence of renin—adds a novel, previously unsuspected dimension to the defense role of renin-expressing cells, linking the endocrine control of circulatory homeostasis with the immune control of infections to ensure survival.