T-Cadherin Deficiency Is Associated with Increased Blood Pressure after Physical Activity

T-cadherin is a regulator of blood vessel remodeling and angiogenesis, involved in adiponectin-mediated protective effects in the cardiovascular system and in skeletal muscles. GWAS study has previously demonstrated a SNP in the Cdh13 gene to be associated with hypertension. However, the role of T-cadherin in regulating blood pressure has not been experimentally elucidated. Herein, we generated Cdh13(?Exon3) mice lacking exon 3 in the Cdh13 gene and described their phenotype. Cdh13(?Exon3) mice exhibited normal gross morphology, life expectancy, and breeding capacity. Meanwhile, their body weight was considerably lower than of WT mice. When running on a treadmill, the time spent running and the distance covered by Cdh13(?Exon3) mice was similar to that of WT. The resting blood pressure in Cdh13(?Exon3) mice was slightly higher than in WT, however, upon intensive physical training their systolic blood pressure was significantly elevated. While adiponectin content in the myocardium of Cdh13(?Exon3) and WT mice was within the same range, adiponectin plasma level was 4.37-fold higher in Cdh13(?Exon3) mice. Moreover, intensive physical training augmented the AMPK phosphorylation in the skeletal muscles and myocardium of Cdh13(?Exon3) mice as compared to WT. Our data highlight a critically important role of T-cadherin in regulation of blood pressure and stamina in mice, and may shed light on the pathogenesis of hypertension.