Abstract:Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of PSGL-1 in development of salt-sensitive hypertension in mice. Methods PSGL-1 knockout (PSGL-1 - / - ) and wild type (PSGL-1 + / + ) mice were fed a high salt (6% NaCl) or normal salt (0. 4% NaCl) diet for three months. Blood pressure was measured under anesthesia via the carotid artery. The status of tissue inflammation and kidney injury was tested by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. Results Compared with mice fed a normal salt diet, PSGL?1 + / + mice fed a high salt diet for three months showed high blood pressure, increased inflammatory cell infiltration in the aorta and skin, and increased inflammatory cytokine expression (interleukin?6, interleukin?1β, and tumor necrosis factor?α) in the kidney, as well as elevated expression of the kidney injury marker, connective tissue growth factor. In contrast, inflammation and kidney injury were not found in PSGL?1 - / - mice fed a high?salt diet. Conclusions In mice, PSGL?1 via inflammation plays a key role in development of hypertension and kidney injury caused by high salt intake.