Regulation of vascular angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptor and angiotensin-(1-7)/MasR signaling in normal and hypertensive pregnancy.

Normal pregnancy (Norm-Preg) is associated with a slight reduction in blood pressure (BP) and decreased BP response to vasoconstrictor stimuli such as angiotensin II (Ang II), although the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is upregulated. Preeclampsia (PE) is a complication of pregnancy manifested as hypertension-in-pregnancy (HTN-Preg), and dysregulation of angiotensin biosynthesis and signaling have been implicated. Ang II activates vascular Ang II type-1 receptor (ATR) and Ang II type-2 receptor (ATR), while angiotensin-(1-7) promotes Ang-(1-7)/MasR signaling.