Angiotensin II impairs endothelial progenitor cell number and function in vitro and in vivo: implications for vascular regeneration.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to endothelial regeneration. Angiotensin II (Ang II) through Ang II type 1 receptor (AT(1)-R) activation plays an important role in vascular damage. The effect of Ang II on EPCs and the involved molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood.

Endothelial damage and regeneration: the role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is part of the blood pressure regulating system. Its main effector peptide is angiotensin II (Ang II). Although it may induce hypertension, the proinflammatory, profibrotic, and prothrombotic effects are mainly mediated by effects of Ang II on the cellular and molecular level that are independent of blood pressure.