Brain Angiotensin Type-1 and Type-2 Receptors in Physiological and Hypertensive Conditions: Focus on Neuroinflammation.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in regulating cardiovascular physiology. This includes brain AT1R and AT2R, both of which are expressed in or adjacent to brain regions that control BP. Activation of AT1R within those brain regions mediate increases in BP and cause neuroinflammation, which augments the BP increase in hypertension. The fact that AT1R and AT2R have opposing actions on BP suggests that AT1R and AT2R may have similar opposing actions on neuroinflammation. However, the mechanisms by which brain AT1R and AT2R mediate neuroinflammatory responses remain unclear. The interplay between brain angiotensin receptor subtypes and neuroinflammation exacerbates or protects against hypertension.