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Angiotensin type 2 receptor is expressed in human atherosclerotic lesions

Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Clinical Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden

Björn Fagerberg

The Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular Research, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden

Göran Bergström

Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Clinical Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden, goran.bergstrom{at}hjl.gu.se

Objective. Expression of the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2-receptor) occurs in many animal models of atherosclerosis. However, its expression in human plaques and its functional role remains undetermined.This study examined AT2-receptor expression in human atherosclerotic plaque and also explored its potentially important functional role in atherosclerosis.

Material and methods. We analysed carotid atherosclerotic plaques obtained from 14 Caucasian patients who had previously carotid artery stenosis. Half of all subjects undergone endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Half of all subjects received treatment with an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) (n=7); the remaining subjects received no intervention in the renin-angiotensin system (n=7). Immunohistochemistry measured tissue expression of smooth muscle cells (-actin), macrophages (CD68 antibody), collagen (picro-sirius), and AT₂-receptor (AT₂-receptor antibody).

Results. AT₂-receptor expression occurred consistently in all specimens. Although cellular localisation varied, AT₂-receptor expression levels correlated with macrophage levels (p<0.01). Compared to conventional treatment, ongoing ARB treatment affected neither AT₂-receptor levels nor plaque composition.

Conclusions. AT₂-receptor is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaque. Furthermore, we detected no functionally important role of AT2-receptor expression and found no evidence that ARB treatment regulates AT2-receptor expression.

Key Words: angiotensin II • angiotensin receptor blocker • angiotensin type 2 receptor • atherosclerosis • human carotid plaques

Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System, Vol. 9, No. 1, 17-21 (2008)
DOI: 10.3317/jraas.2008.005


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