PVH neurons projecting to the RVLM play a regulatory role in the determination of the sympathetic outflow [35]. Using selective ER agonists and recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying small interference (si) RNA to silence either ERα (AAV-siRNA-ERα) or ERβ (AAV-siRNA-ERβ) in the PVH and RVLM, researchers found that both PVH and RVLM ERβ, instead of ERα in these nuclei, contribute to the protective effects of estrogen against aldosterone-induced hypertension [13]. This evidence concerns the gene ESR1 and hypertensive disorder.