The protective axis of the renin-angiotensin system and inflammation: implications of receptor heteromerization

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the major health challenges in today´s society. Cardiovascular diseasesrepresent the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western countries. Inflammation plays asignificant role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Various subpopulations of cells involved ininnate and adaptive immune responses, through the production of various proinflammatory cytokines,contribute to hypertension development. One therapeutic target in the treatment of hypertension isthe renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The RAS comprises two axes with opposing effects: the classicpressor pro-inflammatory axis and the counter-regulatory protective anti-inflammatory axis.Imbalances in these axes favor excessive inflammation, exacerbating the hypertensive condition. Thisreview focuses on the response triggered by the protective axis of the RAS in inflammation and howit may be influenced by interaction with other receptors. Enhancing our understanding of theprotective axis of the RAS would broaden therapeutic possibilities for treating hypertension.