ISSN:
1573-4919
Keywords:
cell growth
;
angiotensin II
;
signal transduction
;
cyclic AMP
;
protein kinase A
;
Janus kinases
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Angiotensin II (Ang II), the primary effector of the renin-angiotensin system, is a multifunctional hormone that plays an important role in vascular function. In addition to its classical vasoconstrictor action, more recent studies demonstrated that Ang II stimulates the growth of a number of cell types, including vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) (reviewed in [1-3]). In vivo studies have shown that chronic infusion of Ang II leads to the development of vascular hypertrophy in rats, whereas administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or Ang II receptor antagonists prevents or regresses vascular hypertrophy in models of genetic and experimental hypertension [4]. Consistent with in vivo data, several laboratories have shown that Ang II stimulates protein synthesis and induces cellular hypertrophy, but not cell proliferation, in cultured aortic SMC [5-9]. Ang II also induces directed migration (chemotaxis) of vascular SMC [10, 11], although its effect is less prominent than that of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The cellular mechanisms underlying these diverse actions of Ang II are not clearly understood but are likely to involve the activation of distinct signaling pathways.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1007140606333
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