Purinergic P2Y receptors: A new therapeutic target of age-dependent hypertension.

Aging has a remarkable effect on cardiovascular homeostasis and it is known as the major non-modifiable risk factor in the development of hypertension. Medications targeting sympathetic nerve system and/or renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are widely accepted as a powerful therapeutic strategy to improve hypertension, although the control rates remain unsatisfactory especially in the elder patients with hypertension. Purinergic receptors, activated by adenine, uridine nucleotides and nucleotide sugars, play pivotal roles in many biological processes, including platelet aggregation, neurotransmission and hormone release, and regulation of cardiovascular contractility. Since clopidogrel, a selective inhibitor of G protein-coupled purinergic P2Y receptor (P2YR), achieved clinical success as an anti-platelet drug, P2YRs has been attracted more attention as new therapeutic targets of cardiovascular diseases. We have revealed that UDP-responsive P2YR promoted angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R)-stimulated vascular remodeling in mice, in an age-dependent manner. Moreover, the age-related formation of heterodimer between AT1R and P2YR was disrupted by MRS2578, a P2YR-selective inhibitor. These findings suggest that P2YR is a therapeutic target to prevent age-related hypertension.