Co-expression of renin-angiotensin system genes in human adipose tissue

Objective The renin-angiotensin system plays a central role in blood pressu re regulation, both by affecting renal function and by modulating vascular tone and structure. Recent studies in rodents demonstrated the existence of several components of this system in adipose tissue. The activity of the r enin-angiotensin system appears to be regulated by food intake, suggesting that it may be involved in obesity-associated hypertension, Few data are av ailable on the presence of renin-angiotensin system components in human adi pose tissue. Materials and methods In order to explore the expression of renin-angiotens in system genes in human adipose tissue and adipocytes, total RNA was isola ted from whole adipose tissue (subcutaneous and omental) or cultured adipoc ytes (mammary) and subjected to reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reac tion with primers specific for human angiotensinogen, renin, renin-binding protein, angiotensin converting enzyme, chymase and type 1 and type 2 angio tensin receptors. Results Angiotensinogen, angiotensin converting enzyme and type 1 angiotens in receptor genes were widely expressed, both in human adipose tissue and i n cultured human adipocytes, Furthermore, we found expression of the chymas e and renin-binding protein genes in these samples. Conclusions Our findings suggest the presence of a local renin-angiotensin system in human adipose tissue, with adipocytes being an important part of this system, and prompt speculation that this local renin-angiotensin syste m may be involved in obesity-related disorders, including hypertension and the metabolic syndrome, J Hypertens 1999, 17:555-560 (C) Lippincott William s & Wilkins.