The present invention belongs to the field of molecular diagnosis of medical diseases and their treatment. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and means for detecting hypertension, more specifically essential primary hypertension, and even more specifically
NOX5-dependent hypertension. The present invention also provides methods for treating hypertension, more specifically essential primary hypertension, and more specifically
NOX5-dependent hypertension. The present invention also provides theragnostics combining therapy with diagnosis, more specifically, determining the level of
NOX5 in a sample from a subject, and treating the subject with a NOX5 inhibitor or a compound that reduces the level of NOX5 if the NOX5 level exceeds a certain threshold. Furthermore, the present invention also provides theragnostics combining diagnosis with therapy, more specifically, determining the level of NOX5 (
plasma) in a sample from a subject, and treating the subject with a NOX5 inhibitor or a compound that reverses the consequences of NOX5 activity if the determined NOX5 level exceeds a predetermined threshold. Finally, the present invention relates to animal models suitable for developing
diagnostic methods and therapeutic treatments for NOX5-dependent hypertension.