Phenotypic Summary of Animal Models

A summary of the main animal models discussed in the review is presented. S-CUL3Δ9 represents inducible expression of a dominant mutant of CUL3 that results in exon 9 skipping. S-CUL3^Flox represents the inducible smooth muscle knockout of CUL3. S-PPARγ^P467L also known as S-P467L represents smooth muscle-specific expression of a human mutant in PPARγ (P467L), which causes human hypertension. Although it is discussed early in the review, it is presented directly next to the S-PPARγ^P467L X S-RhoBTB1, which represents the inducible smooth muscle-specific re-expression of RhoBTB1 in the S-P467L model. S-RhoBTB1 + Ang-II is the inducible smooth muscle-specific expression of RhoBTB1 treated with a slow-pressor dose of Ang-II to induce hypertension and arterial stiffness. The arrows reflect the following comparisons: S-CUL3Δ9 versus control mice; S-CUL3^Flox versus control mice; S-PPARγ^P467L versus control mice; S-PPARγ^P467L X S-RhoBTB1 versus S-P467L mice; S-RhoBTB1 + Ang-II measures the effect of inducible RhoBTB1 after hypertension is fully established by Ang-II. In the latter, activation of RhoBTB1 did not alter vasodilation, vasoconstriction, or BP in response to Ang-II but relieved arterial stiffness.