THE ROLE OF INTRACELLULAR ANGIOTENSIN II

It has become clear that the vasoactive peptide angiotensin II, like other so-called intracrines, can act in the intracellular space. Evidence has accumulated indicating that such angiotensin II activity can be upregulated in disease states and cause pathology. Indeed, other intracrines appear to be involved in disease pathogenesis as well. At the same time nitric oxide, potentially a cell protective factor, has been shown to be upregulated by intracellular angiotensin II. Recently data has been developed indicating that other potentially protective factors are directly upregulated at neuronal nuclei by angiotensin II. This led to the suggestion that intracellular angiotensin II is cell protective and not pathological. Here the data on both sides of this issue and a possible resolution are discussed. In sum, there is evidence for both protective and pathological actions of intracellular angiotensin, just as there is abundant evidence derived from whole animal physiology to indicate that angiotensin -drive...