IL-18 (Interleukin-18) Produced by Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Promotes Renal Inflammation and Injury During Deoxycorticosterone/Salt-Induced Hypertension in Mice

IL-18 (interleukin-18) is elevated in hypertensive patients, but its contribution to high blood pressure and end-organ damage is unknown. We examined the role of IL-18 in the development of renal inflammation and injury in a mouse model of low-renin hypertension. Hypertension was induced in male C57BL6/J (WT) and IL-18 −/− mice by uninephrectomy, deoxycorticosterone acetate (2.4 mg/d, s.c.) and 0.9% drinking saline (1K/DOCA/salt). Normotensive...