Leptin, an adipocyte product, has been shown to play a role in obesity-related hypertension and in vitro studies demonstrated a biologic interaction between leptin and TGF-beta1.
Expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA was significantly higher in renal tissue from patients not receiving angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) therapy for hypertension (P<0.05).
Our findings support the idea that TGF-beta(1) hyperexpression is a risk factor for hypertension and hypertensive complications and provides a mechanism for the excess burden of hypertension in blacks.
Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), a multifunctional cytokine with fibrogenic properties, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the vascular and target organ complications of hypertension.