PHARMACOLOGY OF ANGIOTENSIN-II RECEPTORS IN THE KIDNEY

Pharmacology of angiotensin II receptors in the kidney. Within the kid ney angiotensin II (Ang Il) exerts potent effects on renal function. T he intrarenal actions of Ang II include modulation of renal blood how, glomerular filtration rate, tubular epithelial transport, renin relea se and cellular growth. The actions of Ang II on the kidney are mediat ed by specific intrarenal receptors which, based upon physical charact eristics and the selective binding of non-peptide and peptide analogs may be divided into two main subtypes, termed AT(1) and AT(2). AT, rec eptors are present within the kidneys of all species and are located p redominantly in the glomerulus, the renal tubules and the renal vascul ature, including the afferent and efferent arterioles. Modulation of A T(1) receptors within the kidney has been shown to mediate essentially all of the known intrarenal effects of Ang II. AT(1) receptors and pa rticularly AT(2) receptors are expressed in large numbers in fetal kid ney where they may play a role in development and maturation. In some species, intrarenal AT(2) receptors disappear shortly after birth. In those species where AT(2) receptors are present in the adult kidney th eir role in the control of renal function has not yet been clearly def ined.