Renin and the IGFII/M6P Receptor System in Cardiac Biology

Figure 1

Coupling of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to the renin-angiotensin system. Activation of the SNS increases the release of renin that forms angiotensin I from angiotensinogen. Angiotensin I is further converted to angiotensin II by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II is the effector molecule triggering the known effects of angiotensin II aimed to increase blood pressure. Via its inhibition on renin release it also possesses a feedback loop (left side). Inhibition of the RAAS by either ACE inhibition, AT receptor antagonism, or direct renin inhibition increases the release of renin but lowers the concentration of angiotensin II. Thereby, it reduces AT receptor-dependent effects but exerts new effects linked to remodelling (right side).