Distribution and function of angiotensin receptor subtypes in cardiovascular system

Angiotensin II (AII) participates in regulation of arterial blood pressure through its binding to AII receptors distributing among its target organs. In addition, locally produced AII appears to play a major role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular hypertrophy via mechanism not related to blood pressure. Two subtypes of AII receptors, AT1 and AT2, are recognized as distinct in both molecular and pharmacological basis. In adult, AT1 is a dominant subtype in cardiovascular system, and mediates virtually all the previously known actions of AII, including vasoconstriction, production of growth factors, hypertrophy of smooth muscle and cardiomyocyte, proliferation of smooth muscle and fibroblast, production of extracellular matrix and so on. Recently, upregulation of AT2 expression is revealed under certain pathological conditions, such as vascular injury, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Biological significance of AT2 are still under investigation, however, countering actions against AT1 are often suggested.