Molecular Effects of Auto-Antibodies on Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Signaling and Cell Proliferation.

The angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (ATR) is involved in the regulation of blood pressure (through vasoconstriction) and water and ion homeostasis (mediated by interaction with the endogenous agonist). ATR can also be activated by auto-antibodies (ATR-Abs), which are associated with manifold diseases, such as obliterative vasculopathy, preeclampsia and systemic sclerosis. Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms related to ATR-Abs binding and associated signaling cascade (dys-)regulation remains fragmentary.