Do fragments and glycosylated isoforms of alpha-1-antitrypsin in CSF mirror spinal pathophysiological mechanisms in chronic peripheral neuropathic pain? An exploratory, discovery phase study.

BACKGROUND: Post-translational modifications (PTMs) generate a tremendous protein diversity from the ~ 20,000 protein-coding genes of the human genome. In chronic pain conditions, exposure to pathological processes in the central nervous system could lead to disease-specific PTMs detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In a previous hypothesis-generating study, we reported that seven out of 260 CSF proteins highly discriminated between neuropathic pain patients and healthy controls: one isoform of angiotensinogen (AG), two isoforms of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AT), three isoforms of haptoglobin (HG), and one isoform of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF). The present study had three aims: (1) To examine the multivariate inter-correlations between all identified isoforms of these seven proteins; (2) Based on the results of the first aim, to characterize PTMs in a subset of interesting proteins; (3) To regress clinical pain data using the 260 proteins as predictors, thereby testing the hypothesis that the above-mentioned seven discriminating proteins and/or the characterized isoforms/fragments of aim (2) would be among the proteins having the highest predictive power for clinical pain data. METHODS: CSF samples from 11 neuropathic pain patients and 11 healthy controls were used for biochemical analysis of protein isoforms. PTM characterization was performed using enzymatic reaction assay and mass spectrometry. Multivariate data analysis (principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square regression) was applied on the quantified protein isoforms. RESULTS: We identified 5 isoforms of AG, 18 isoforms of AT, 5 isoforms of HG, and 5 isoforms of PEDF. Fragments and glycosylated isoforms of AT were studied in depth. When regressing the pain intensity data of patients, three isoforms of AT, two isoforms of PEDF, and one isoform of angiotensinogen "reappeared" as major results, i.e., they were major findings both when comparing patients with healthy controls and when regressing pain intensity in patients. CONCLUSIONS: Altered levels of fragments and/or glycosylated isoforms of alpha-1-antitrypsin might mirror pathophysiological processes in the spinal cord of neuropathic pain patients. In particular, we suggest that a putative disease-specific combination of the levels of two different N-truncated fragments of alpha-1-antitrypsin might be interesting for future CSF and/or plasma biomarker investigations in chronic neuropathic pain.

Evidence for intraventricular secretion of angiotensinogen and angiotensin by the subfornical organ using transgenic mice.

Direct intracerebroventricular injection of angiotensin II (ANG II) causes increases in blood pressure and salt and water intake, presumably mimicking an effect mediated by an endogenous mechanism. The subfornical organ (SFO) is a potential source of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), ANG I, and ANG II, and thus we hypothesized that the SFO has a secretory function. Endogenous levels of angiotensinogen (AGT) and renin are very low in the brain. We therefore examined the immunohistochemical localization of angiotensin peptides and AGT in the SFO, and AGT in the CSF in two transgenic models that overexpress either human AGT (A+ mice), or both human AGT (hAGT) and human renin (SRA mice) in the brain. Measurements were made at baseline and following volumetric depletion of CSF. Ultrastructural analysis with immunoelectron microscopy revealed that superficially located ANG I/ANG II and AGT immunoreactive cells in the SFO were vacuolated and opened directly into the ventricle. Withdrawal of CSF produced an increase in AGT in the CSF that was accompanied by a large decline in AGT immunoreactivity within SFO cells. Our data provide support for the hypothesis that the SFO is a secretory organ that releases AGT and possibly ANG I/ANG II into the ventricle at least under conditions when genes that control the renin-angiotensin system are overexpressed in mice.

Cerebrospinal fluid markers of idiopathic intracranial hypertension: is the renin-angiotensinogen system involved?

BACKGROUND: The causes underlying idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) are poorly understood. METHODS: To identify disease-related biomarkers that could offer a new insight into IIH pathology, we analyzed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 18 patients with IIH and 18 controls using two-dimensional fluorescence differential in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE). RESULTS: We found six proteins that were upregulated in IIH (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein, immunoglobulin heavy constant alpha 1 [IGHA1], alpha-1-antitrypsin [SERPINA1], serotransferrin, haptoglobin) and four proteins that were downregulated (hemopexin, angiotensinogen, vitamin-D-binding protein, transthyretin). The validity of our approach was confirmed for one candidate protein (angiotensinogen). To account for a dependency from blood-CSF barrier function, the ratio of angiotensinogen and albumin CSF-to-serum quotients (Qang/Qalb) was determined, which confirmed the downregulation of angiotensinogen in IIH (p = .04). CONCLUSION: Previous studies showed the intrinsic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) to regulate choroid plexus blood flow and CSF production. Altered levels of angiotensinogen could indicate an imbalance of the RAS in IIH that may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Oestrogenic regulation of brain angiotensinogen.

Oestrogens are now recognized as playing a regulatory role on components of the systemic renin-angiotensin system, such as its precursor, angiotensinogen (AGT). In the brain, this role is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of oestrogens on brain AGT of female rats at different stages of the oestrous cycle, in pregnancy and following ovariectomy with and without hormone replacement. AGT content of different brain regions was also studied in male rats treated with oestrogens. The brain was divided into five regions: cortex, cerebellum, brainstem, midbrain and thalamus/hypothalamus, and AGT was measured by direct radioimmunoassay using a highly specific AGT antibody. Cyclical fluctuations in AGT content were observed in all regions except the cerebellum over the course of the 4-day oestrous cycle, with peak concentrations at estrus and lowest concentrations at metestrus. Following ovariectomy, brain AGT was significantly decreased in the thalamic/hypothalamic region, an effect that was reversed by oestrogen-replacement. In pregnant rats, AGT contents were elevated in the brainstem region. Oestrogen treatment of male rats induced significant increases in AGT concentrations in all areas except the cortex. In summary, these results show that oestradiol has actions on brain AGT that are region-specific and dependent on the particular physiological and reproductive context. Moreover, the changes in AGT concentrations in the oestrous cycle suggest the involvement of other factors besides oestrogen. Finally, this study supports the view that the brain renin-angiotensin system has a broad role in oestrogen-modulated brain functions beyond those specific to the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.

Effect of EXP 3174 on blood pressure of normoreninemic renal hypertensive rats.

This study examined the effect on mean blood pressure of a new orally active nonpeptide angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor antagonist, EXP 3174, in doses that completely block exogenous Ang II action. Anesthetized and conscious two-kidney, two clip chronic renovascular hypertensive rats and sham-operated animals were used. In anesthetized hypertensive rats, intracerebroventricular administration of the inhibitor had no effect on blood pressure, whereas blood pressure was normalized by intravenous injection of the antagonist (163 +/- 12 to 110 +/- 9 mm Hg, P < .05). In sham anesthetized rats, intravenous injection of EXP 3174 also lowered blood pressure (112 +/- 6 to 96 +/- 6mm Hg, P < .05). In conscious rats, intravenous EXP 3174 induced a fall in pressure that was larger in hypertensive (156 +/- 9 to 132 +/- 5 mm Hg, P < .05) than in sham (104 +/- 3 to 94 +/- 4 mm Hg, P < .05) rats. Plasma renin activity was very high in anesthetized animals (hypertensive versus sham, 87.8 +/- 8.3 versus 95.7 +/- 10.2 ng Ang I/mL per hour); differences were not significant either between anesthetized hypertensive and sham or in conscious animals (hypertensive versus sham, 9.42 +/- 1.58 versus 6.74 +/- 2.32 ng Ang I/mL per hour). Angiotensinogen concentration was higher in cerebrospinal fluid in anesthetized hypertensive rats (36.4 +/- 3.0 versus 26.0 +/- 2.4 ng Ang I/mL, P < .05) and in the artery wall of hypertensive conscious rats (103.1 +/- 10.3 versus 75.2 +/- 7.8 ng Ang I/g, P < .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Increased angiotensin-(1-7) in hypophysial-portal plasma of conscious sheep.

Studies were undertaken to characterize angiotensin peptides in hypophysial-portal blood of conscious sheep and to determine whether the median eminence (ME) secretes angiotensin peptides into the hypophysial-portal circulation. Simultaneous measurements of angiotensin peptides in jugular and hypophysial-portal plasma were performed in 6 sheep. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected and data for hypophysial-portal plasma were corrected for CSF contamination. Angiotensin peptides were also measured in extracts of sheep ME. In a separate group of 4 sheep, simultaneous measurements of angiotensin peptides in arterial and jugular plasma were performed. Using high performance liquid chromatography-based radioimmunoassays, 8 angiotensin peptides were measured: Ang-(1-7), Ang II, Ang-(1-9), Ang I, Ang-(2-7), Ang III, Ang-(2-9), and Ang-(2-10). Renin, angiotensinogen and prolyl endopeptidase were also measured. No differences in angiotensin peptide levels in arterial and jugular plasma were observed. Angiotensin peptide levels in hypophysial-portal plasma were similar to those in jugular plasma, except for Ang-(1-7), the levels of which were 5-fold higher in hypophysial-portal plasma, and Ang I, for which the levels in hypophysial-portal plasma were 46% of the jugular levels. Renin and angiotensinogen levels were similar in arterial, jugular, and hypophysial-portal plasma. Angiotensin peptide contents of sheep ME were less than 16 fmol/ME. However, the prolyl endopeptidase content of sheep ME was 430-fold higher than plasma levels. The low levels of angiotensin peptides in sheep ME indicate that it does not secrete these peptides into the hypophysial-portal circulation. Rather, the high level of prolyl endopeptidase in ME is consistent with region-specific metabolism of Ang I delivered to the ME by arterial blood, generating increased levels of Ang-(1-7) in hypophysial portal plasma. The increased levels of Ang-(1-7) in hypophysial-portal plasma may play a role in regulation of pituitary function.

Development of renovascular hypertension after central serotonin depletion.

The participation of the central serotonergic system in the development of two-kidney, two clip (2K2C) Goldblatt renovascular hypertension in the rat has been examined. Half of the rats were treated with desmethylimipramine intraperitoneally and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine intracisternally; the other half received only desmethylimipramine and the 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine vehicle. Two days later, a silver clip was placed in both renal arteries in half of the rats of each group. A sham operation was performed in the remaining rats. Blood pressure was recorded during the 5 weeks after treatment. At the end of the experiment, blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained. The brain was dissected into several areas and kept frozen. Norepinephrine, serotonin, angiotensinogen, and renin-like concentration were evaluated in the brain areas. Plasma renin activity and angiotensinogen concentration in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid were estimated. In the sham-operated groups, blood pressure was lower in the treated than in the control rats. The curve of blood pressure increase, as well as the final blood pressure, was similar in the treated and control 2K2C rats. Serotonin was significantly depleted by the 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine treatment in all brain areas. Treatment did not induce any changes in central norepinephrine concentration. Plasma renin activity was diminished in the treated sham-operated rats. These data indicate that the central serotonin depletion does not prevent the development of hypertension and confirm the role of the amine in normal blood pressure regulation. On the other hand, the peripheral renin-angiotensin system might participate in the development of high blood pressure in serotonin-depleted animals.

Angiotensinogen in cerebrospinal fluid corresponds chromatographically to the gamma-form of plasma angiotensinogen.

Angiotensinogen (Aogen) (CA 11002-13-14), the prohormone of the neuro- and vasoactive peptide angiotensin II (Ang II) (CA 11128-99-7), is found in dog brain as well as in dog plasma. At 2-4 micrograms/ml CSF, Aogen comprises 1-2% of the total protein in dog CSF. Immunopurified CSF and plasma Aogen were compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and anion-exchange HPLC. Two major (alpha- and beta-) forms and one minor (gamma-) form of Aogen were observed in dog plasma. The majority of Aogen in dog CSF was chromatographically identical to the gamma-form of plasma Aogen; alpha- and beta-Aogen forms comprised less than 5% of the total CSF Aogen. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-Aogen identified these proteins as members of the Aogen family. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of CSF gamma-Aogen was Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-Ser-Lys-Ser-Ser-(X)-Glu- . More basic than either alpha- or beta-Aogen, gamma-Aogen was shown to be a glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight (Mr) of 58,000. CSF [des Ang I]-Aogen exhibited a greater anion-exchange HPLC retention. CSF, however, contained only minor amounts of [des Ang I]-Aogen. These analyses have demonstrated that brain overwhelmingly releases one particular Aogen into the CSF; however, very little of this brain Aogen is utilized for the production of Ang I.

Chronic administration of ketanserin and the development of two-kidney-two-clip Goldblatt renovascular hypertension in the rat.

The effect of ketanserin (Kt) has been analyzed during the development of two-kidney-two-clip (2k-2c) renovascular hypertension in the rat. Male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups: (1) clip Kt (ClKt) (n = 12)--A silver clip (0.25 mm width) was placed in each renal artery 3 days after beginning the administration of Kt (10 mg/kg/day) in the drinking water; (2) sham Kt (ShKt) (n = 13)--Similar to group 1, but the clips were placed in, and immediately removed from, the renal arteries; (3) untreated clip (UCl) (n = 10)--Similar to group 1, but the rats drank water; (4) untreated sham (USh) (n = 10)--Similar to group 2, but the rats drank water. Blood pressure (BP) was measured before surgery and was followed weekly for 7 weeks. At the end of this period, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained in all the animals. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma and CSF angiotensinogen concentration (AoC) were evaluated. The results have shown that Kt partially inhibited the increase in BP induced by bilateral renal ischemia (BP: UCl rats 180.5 +/- 12.4 versus ClKt rats 149.8 +/- 5.1 mm Hg; p less than 0.01; USh rats 116.7 +/- 3.7; ShKt rats 114.4 +/- 5.0 mm Hg). PRA was similar in hypertensive and control rats whether or not they had received Kt. AoC in plasma was decreased in clipped treated and untreated rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in central and peripheral renin-angiotensin system after furosemide injection.

To examine the effects of acute stimulation on the peripheral and central renin-angiotensin system, simultaneous sampling of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for measurements of plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma angiotensin I-immunoreactivity (PAng I-ir), plasma angiotensin II-immunoreactivity (PAng II-ir), plasma angiotensinogen and cerebrospinal fluid angiotensin II-ir (CSF Ang II-ir) and CSF angiotensinogen was carried out following intravenous injection of furosemide (5 mg/kg) in conscious dogs. Administration of furosemide induced marked increases in PRA, Ang I-ir, PAng II-ir and CSF Ang II-ir, however, neither plasma nor CSF angiotensinogen was changed. Furthermore, a relatively large dose (20 mg/kg/min) of intravenously infused synthetic Ang II for 20 min produced a five-fold increase in PAng II-ir compared with no significant increase in CSF Ang II-ir. In spite of significant suppression of PRA and PAng I-ir, there were no significant changes in either plasma or CSF angiotensinogen. These results primarily suggest that the peripheral and the brain renin-angiotensin systems may be linked and that acute changes in the peripheral renin-angiotensin system do not alter either plasma or CSF angiotensinogen.

Angiotensinogen levels in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid of the genetically hypertensive rat.

The present experiments were designed to document changes in the regional distribution of angiotensinogen in the rat brain with the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) relative to age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Levels of angiotensinogen were measured in discrete brain nuclei and cerebrospinal fluid from rats at 4, 7, and 16 weeks of age and in cerebrospinal fluid obtained by cisternal puncture at 7 and 16 weeks. Age-dependent changes in angiotensinogen were found, with levels higher in both strains at 4 weeks of age compared with 7 or 16 weeks. In contrast, plasma levels of angiotensinogen were essentially the inverse of the brain levels, low at 4 weeks and higher at 7 and 16 weeks. Levels in a number of regions adjacent to the rostral third ventricle from the 4-week-old SHR (prehypertensive phase) were significantly elevated relative to the WKY (p less than 0.05), while levels in the amygdala and posterior hypothalamus were significantly lower in the SHR (p less than 0.05). In 7-week-old rats (evolving phase), levels in nine brain regions were significantly elevated in the SHR relative to the WKY and included the nucleus tractus solitarii (p less than 0.01). Unlike the prehypertensive and evolving phases, in 16-week-old rats (maintenance phase) only two brain areas, the nucleus of the diagonal band and the lateral hypothalamus, had significantly elevated levels in the SHR (p less than 0.05). Cerebrospinal fluid levels of angiotensinogen did not correlate well with brain levels of angiotensinogen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The brain renin-angiotensin system and the development of DOC-salt hypertension.

UNLABELLED: The effect of captopril, given in the drinking fluid, on the development of DOC-salt hypertension was analyzed. Although captopril did not prevent an increase in blood pressure (BP) elicited by DOC-salt, captopril did diminish BP in both DOC-salt and control animals. From the first week of treatment DOC-salt rats increased their fluid intake (FI). At the end of the experiment, captopril reduced this increment (655% to 357%). At the same time plasma angiotensinogen was diminished (-35%; p less than 0.001) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) substrate concentration increased (+33%; p less than 0.02) in DOC-salt rats, captopril did not modify these changes. In control rats captopril did not alter FI, depleted plasma angiotensinogen, (-73%; p less than 0.001), did not change the central prohormone and increased plasma renin activity (PRA) (+260%; p less than 0.001). IN CONCLUSION: CSF angiotensinogen concentration changes as previously found in CNS while a clear dissociation between plasma and CSF angiotensinogen was found in DOC-salt rats. In these animals the hypertension was not clearly affected by captopril treatment. However the effect of the converting enzyme inhibitor suggests that the central renin-angiotensin system could participate in the increase in FI.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to rat angiotensinogen.

Three stable monoclonal antibodies to rat angiotensinogen were obtained by fusing myeloma cells with spleen cells from Balb/c mice injected with pure rat angiotensinogen. They were screened by their binding to pure iodinated angiotensinogen and to insolubilized angiotensinogen in a solid phase assay. The titers of the three antibodies varied from 1/3500 to 1/35000, their dissociation constants from 2.5 X 10(-8) M to 3.8 X 10(-10) M, and the sensitivity of the assay ranged from 200 to 10 pmol of pure angiotensinogen. These monoclonal antibodies did not recognize either angiotensin peptides or angiotensinogen from other species, except for mouse angiotensinogen, which cross-reacted with the different antibodies from 0 to 25%. Rat cerebrospinal fluid angiotensinogen, plasma des-angiotensin I-angiotensinogen, and plasma angiotensinogen were equally recognized by these monoclonal antibodies. Contrary to what was observed for a polyclonal antiserum, the monoclonal antibodies failed to inhibit the renin-angiotensinogen reaction in vitro.

Characterization of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid human angiotensinogen and des-angiotensin I-angiotensinogen by direct radioimmunoassay.

Angiotensinogen and the product of its hydrolysis by renin, des-angiotensin I-angiotensinogen, were quantitated in human plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by a direct RIA. This assay was developed using polyclonal antibodies raised against pure human angiotensinogen. The antibodies recognized only primate angiotensinogen and des-angiotensin I-angiotensinogen. Results obtained with the direct RIA were compared with those of the indirect assay which measures angiotensinogen through angiotensin I liberated by an excess of renin. Both assays gave almost identical results in normal subjects whereas in three different conditions characterized by a high renin level (severe hypertension plus low sodium diet, converting enzyme inhibition, and adrenal insufficiency) higher results were obtained by the direct assay. This difference between the results of both methods was attributed to des-angiotensin I-angiotensinogen accumulation which is detected only in the direct assay. CSF angiotensinogen had similar immunochemical properties to plasma angiotensinogen and could also be measured by the direct RIA. Isoelectric focusing of plasma angiotensinogen and des-angiotensin I-angiotensinogen revealed a similar microheterogeneity. Microheterogeneity was also a characteristic of CSF angiotensinogen, but its isoelectric point was more basic than plasma angiotensinogen.

Angiotensinogen concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid in different experimental conditions in the rat.

Angiotensinogen is the most important component of the renin-angiotensin system present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the rat. Its physiological significance as well as its origin have not been clearly elucidated. In this experiment we have examined plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma and CSF angiotensinogen concentration under the following experimental conditions in male rats of the Wistar strain: 1) adrenalectomy (Adx) 4 days prior to sample collection; controls were sham Adx animals; 2) nephrectomy (Nx) 48 hours before blood and CSF collection; controls were sham Nx rats; 3) DOC-salt treatment (Cortexon depot, 50 mg/kg.s.c. twice a week) plus saline to drink was given during 4 weeks; controls were intact rats; 4) DOC-salt plus captopril: captopril (100 mg/kg/day) in the drinking fluid was added to the treatment of experimental and control animals of Group 3; 5) two-kidney, two clip hypertension: silver clips placed in both renal arteries 8 weeks before samples collection; control: sham-operated rats; 6) water deprivation: rats deprived of water for 5 days; controls: intact rats; 7) peripheral sympathectomy: 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HODA) injected s.c. from birth until 16 weeks of age, adrenodemedullectomy and adrenal denervation performed at 8 weeks; controls were vehicle-injected animals. Determination of angiotensinogen concentration in plasma and CSF was accomplished by incubation of the samples with excess hog renin. The angiotensin I released as well as PRA were evaluated using an specific radioimmunoassay technique. PRA was significantly increased by Adx, captopril treatment, and water deprivation, and was almost suppressed by Nx, DOC-salt, and DOC-salt plus captopril treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of angiotensinogen in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of rats.

The origin and regulation of angiotensinogen in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was investigated in rats by measuring renin substrate in plasma and CSF under different experimental conditions. Nephrectomy (NX) increased the circulating and the central angiotensinogen levels. There was no correlation between the individual values of plasma and CSF. Adrenalectomy (ADX) diminished and hydrocortisone treatment augmented the angiotensinogen levels in plasma and CSF. The combination of ADX and NX caused a dissociation between peripheral and central angiotensinogen, since the values were elevated in plasma but unchanged in CSF. After the application of the converting-enzyme inhibitor captopril a significant decrease of angiotensinogen was observed in plasma only. A specific radioimmunoassay for renin substrate of rat plasma also recognized CSF angiotensinogen. There was a linear correlation between the CSF substrate levels obtained by direct and indirect measurement. In conclusion, CSF angiotensinogen appears to be immunologically similar to the plasma molecule. The angiotensinogen levels in CSF and plasma may be affected in parallel but can nevertheless be dissociated from each other.

Clearance of rabbit plasma angiotensinogen and relationship to CSF angiotensinogen.

Rabbit plasma angiotensinogen was purified 1,390-fold by classical purification procedures. Analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and direct activity assay revealed that the purified preparations were greater than 90% native angiotensinogen. The purified angiotensinogen was radiolabeled with 125I-Na using the immobilized lactoperoxidase-Sepharose method and injected into awake, conscious rabbits. Complex clearance kinetics were observed that were resolved by a three-component model; half of the protein was cleared rapidly (t1/2 = 6 and 54 min), presumably reflecting mixing and redistribution, whereas half exhibited slow clearance kinetics (t1/2 = 8.58 h). The clearance kinetics were independent of the method of iodination and the isoelectric-point microheterogeneity of the protein. With knowledge of clearance kinetics we tested whether cerebrospinal fluid angiotensinogen could derive from the plasma pool. After injection of approximately 100 microCi 125I-angiotensinogen into the rabbit circulation, little 125I-angiotensinogen was detected in cerebrospinal fluid. Further, the brain space of 125I-angiotensinogen was identical to that of 125I-albumin, a protein that does not partition from plasma into the central nervous system. We conclude that the brain prohormone does not appear to be derived from the plasma pool.