KCNJ8 and hypertensive disorder: The absence of Kir6.1 in VSM leads to hypertensive mice, but the hypertension is not as pronounced as in mice with global deletion of Kir6.1.2 To examine the possible contribution of endothelial Kir6.1 in BP regulation, we used continuous telemetric monitoring in conscious 8- to 12-week-old wildtype and eKO mice.