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Microvascular angiogenesis and the renin-angiotensin system

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Abstract

The renin-angiotensin system is one of the major regulatory mechanisms essential for maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. Angiotensin II is a multifunctional hormone that plays a key role in regulating this system. The importance of the renin-angiotensin system in controlling sodium homeostasis and vascular resistance is well established, however, in the past decade, much attention has been focused on the importance of angiotensin II as a regulator of microvessel density, acting through the AT1 and AT2 receptors. In this review, we discuss the connections between the renin-angiotensin system and other growth factor pathways known to be involved in pathologic and physiologic angiogenesis and rarefaction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, PO Box 26509, 53226, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Andrew S. Greene PhD & Sandra L. Amaral PhD

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  1. Andrew S. Greene PhD
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  2. Sandra L. Amaral PhD
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Greene, A.S., Amaral, S.L. Microvascular angiogenesis and the renin-angiotensin system. Current Science Inc 4, 56–62 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-002-0054-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-002-0054-x

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