Blood Pressure: Odor Sensor & Gender Differences
- A Johns Hopkins Medicine research team has identified a potential key to understanding why mammalian blood pressure differs between sexes: a cell surface protein that detects odors and...
- Premenopausal women and female mice generally exhibit blood pressure about 10 points lower than their male counterparts.
- jennifer Pluznick, associate professor of physiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said current clinical guidelines largely ignore these sex-based differences.
Uncover a groundbreaking discovery: Johns Hopkins researchers have linked an olfactory receptor to blood pressure differences between sexes. This research spotlights the role of an unexpected “odor sensor” in regulating blood pressure, potentially reshaping future treatments. Notably, the findings, published in _Science Advances_, demonstrate that females generally exhibit lower blood pressure than males, a difference potentially tied to this specific receptor. The study examined Olfr558, also known as OR51E1 in humans. removing this gene in mice eliminated the blood pressure gap, strengthening the link. Furthermore, human data mirrored these results. Explore why News Directory 3 is following this vital scientific news. Discover what’s next …
Olfactory Receptor May explain Blood Pressure sex Differences
Updated June 15, 2025
A Johns Hopkins Medicine research team has identified a potential key to understanding why mammalian blood pressure differs between sexes: a cell surface protein that detects odors and chemicals. Their findings, published March 20 in Science Advances, reveal an unexpected connection between these protein receptors and blood pressure, potentially leading to more tailored treatments.
Premenopausal women and female mice generally exhibit blood pressure about 10 points lower than their male counterparts. While sex hormones have been suggested as a factor, the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear.
jennifer Pluznick, associate professor of physiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said current clinical guidelines largely ignore these sex-based differences. “taking a closer look at the fundamental, scientific basis for sex differences in blood pressure may eventually help clinicians think about blood pressure treatment in new ways,” Pluznick said.
Pluznick’s research focuses on the diverse roles of olfactory receptors throughout the body. these receptors, typically associated with scent detection, also respond to other chemicals.
The team focused on Olfr558, an olfactory receptor conserved across mammals, including humans (known as OR51E1). Prior research had located Olfr558 in the kidney and other organs, beyond the nose.
The current study pinpointed the receptor in kidney blood vessel cells and juxtaglomerular granular cells, which secrete renin, a hormone critical for blood pressure regulation. This discovery prompted a closer examination of Olfr558’s impact on blood pressure and potential for new hypertension treatments.
Pluznick said the receptor’s presence in these cells was the first indication of its potential role in blood pressure control.
Led by Pluznick and Jiaojiao Xu, the team measured blood pressure in young mice. Male mice with normal Olfr558 levels showed blood pressure roughly 10 points higher than females. Though,when the gene for Olfr558 was removed,blood pressure increased in females and decreased in males,effectively eliminating the sex difference.
Preliminary data suggests that blood vessel stiffness and renin levels may contribute to the altered blood pressure in mice lacking the receptor.
Analyzing data from the U.K. Biobank, the team studied humans with a rare variant in OR51E1. Females and males under 50 with this variant did not exhibit the typical sex-linked blood pressure differences.
The researchers caution that the precise molecular pathway linking the olfactory receptor and blood pressure remains to be identified.
Pluznick said, “We hope that improving our understanding of the basic biology of this new link will provide insights on blood pressure regulation for both sexes.”