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(Circulation. 2001;104:2716.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.

Basic Science Reports

Roles of Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Stimulation Associated With Selective Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockade With Valsartan in the Improvement of Inflammation-Induced Vascular Injury

Lan Wu, MD; Masaru Iwai, MD, PhD; Hironori Nakagami, MD; Zhen Li, MD; Rui Chen, MD; Jun Suzuki, MD; Masahiro Akishita, MD, PhD; Marc de Gasparo, MD, PhD; Masatsugu Horiuchi, MD, PhD

From the Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ehime University School of Medicine, Ehime (L.W., M.I., H.N., Z.L., R.C., J.S., M.H.), and the Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo (M.A.), Japan; and Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland (M.d.G.).

Correspondence to Masatsugu Horiuchi, MD, PhD, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ehime University School of Medicine, Shigenobu, Onsen-gun, Ehime 791-0295, Japan. E-mail horiuchi{at}m.ehime-u.ac.jp

	Abstract

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Background— To investigate the effect of angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 receptor (AT₁) blocker on vascular remodeling and explore the possibility of the involvement of Ang II type 2 receptor (AT₂) stimulation in this process, we examined the effects of the selective AT₁ blocker valsartan on the vascular injury in wild-type (Agtr2+) and AT₂-null (Agtr2-) mice.

Methods and Results— Neointima formation and the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by cuff placement on the femoral artery were greater in Agtr2- mice than those in Agtr2+ mice. Treatment of mice with valsartan at a dose of 1 mg · kg^-1 · d^-1, which did not influence systolic blood pressure, significantly decreased neointima formation and the proliferation of VSMCs, whereas the valsartan was less effective in Agtr2- mice. Moreover, cuff placement increased the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1); inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1ß; and infiltration of CD45-positive leukocytes and macrophages in the injured arteries and further enhanced them in Agtr2- mice, suggesting the antagonistic effects of AT₁ and AT₂ for vascular inflammation. Valsartan attenuated the expression of MCP-1, TNF-, IL-6, IL-1ß, and infiltration of leukocytes and macrophages in the injured arteries; however, these effects of valsartan were less prominent in Agtr2- mice.

Conclusions— These results suggest that the stimulation of the AT₂ receptor after AT₁ blockade is important in the improvement of the inflammatory vascular injury.

Key Words: angiotensin • arteries • inflammation • receptors • remodeling

	Introduction

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Recent evidence has revealed that the functions of angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 (AT₁) and type 2 (AT₂) receptors are mutually antagonistic.^1,2 Monocyte infiltration into the vessel wall, a key initial step in the process of atherosclerosis, is mediated in part by monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). It appears that AT₁ stimulation increases inflammation and stimulates atherosclerosis by stimulating MCP-1 expression.^3–5 Moreover, Ruiz-Ortega et al⁶ suggested that Ang II could participate in the recruitment of mononuclear cells through nuclear factor (NF)-B activation and MCP-1 expression by renal cells in immune-complex nephritis. We could speculate that AT₂ might exert anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects by inhibiting the expression of MCP-1. In contrast, Ang II-mediated induction of the chemokine RANTES was shown to be transduced by AT₂ in cultured rat glomerular endothelial cells and in vivo.⁷

The effect of AT₁ blocker may not be entirely due to the blockade of the AT₁. When AT₁ is blocked, increased Ang II may act on AT₂ and Ang_(1–7), and Ang IV, via the AT₄ receptor, might be involved in the effects of AT₁ blockade. Obviously, the AT₂ plays a role in the pathogenesis and remodeling of cardiovascular and renal diseases.^1,2 The results, however, although suggestive, are sometimes equivocal. Harada et al⁸ demonstrated that neointima formation in AT_1a-null mice was comparable to that in wild-type mice and that AT₂ was not involved in injury-induced neointima formation. If the AT₂ contributes to the pathogenesis and consequent remodeling of cardiovascular diseases in humans, AT₁ blocker may have some specific effects in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. A more extensive knowledge of the AT₂ could therefore contribute to the understanding of the clinical beneficial effects of the AT₁ blockers. To evaluate the potential roles of AT₂ stimulation in vascular inflammation and remodeling when we use AT₁ blockers, we used Agtr2- mice in this study.

	Methods

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Animals and Treatment
Adult male Agtr2+ and Agtr2- mice⁹ (10 to 12 weeks of age) were used. The Animal Studies Committee of Ehime University approved the following experimental protocol. The surgical procedure of cuff-induced vascular injury in the femoral artery, morphometric analysis, and measurement of DNA synthesis were performed according to methods described previously.¹⁰ Some Agtr2+ and Agtr2- mice were treated with the AT₁ blocker valsartan (provided by Novartis Pharma AG) by Alzet micro-osmotic minipumps (model 1002, Alza Corp) implanted intraperitoneally at the same time as cuff placement. The pumps delivered valsartan (1 mg · kg^-1 · d^-1) continuously for 7 or 14 days at a rate of 0.25 µL/h.

Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA was prepared from the pooled arteries (n=7 to 10 for each group) with the use of TRIzol Reagent (Gibco-BRL). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed as previously described.^10,11 PCR primers for MCP-1 are 5'-ACTGAAGCCAGCTCTCTCTTCCTC-3' (forward) and 5'-TTCCTTCTTGGGTCAGCACAGAC-3' (reverse). The PCR reactions were optimized and carried out with 30 cycles for interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, and MCP-1 and 25 cycles for GAPDH. To verify the identity of the PCR products, we sequenced PCR products and confirmed that the sequences of PCR products matched the predicted sequences. PCR-amplified DNA of MCP-1 was subcloned into pGEM-T Easy Vector (Promega Corp), and cDNA probe for Northern blotting was prepared from this plasmid vector.

Northern Blot Analysis
RNA was prepared from the pooled arteries (n=24 to 30 for each group). After size-fractionation on a denaturing agarose-formaldehyde gel, total RNA (30 µg) was transferred to a nylon membrane (Hybond-N+, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). Hybridization was carried out with ³²P-labeled probes of (1) a HindIII-NsiI fragment of mouse AT₂ cDNA,¹² (2) mouse AT₁ cDNA and MCP-1 cDNA, or (3) a 0.78-kb PstI-XbaI fragment of human GAPDH. Densitometric analysis was performed with an image scanner (EPSON GT-8000) and NIH Image software.

Western Blot Analysis
Total proteins were prepared from the pooled arteries after cuff placement (n=6 to 8 for each group), and Western blot was performed as previously described.¹¹ Immunoblotting was done with anti-MCP-1 antibody (Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc), anti-TNF- antibody (Genzyme-Techne), and anti--smooth muscle (-SM) actin antibody (clone 1A4; Sigma).

Immunohistochemistry
MCP-1, macrophage (F4/80), CD45-positive leukocytes, and TNF- were stained as described previously.¹⁰ MCP-1, leukocytes, macrophages, and TNF- were stained with anti-MCP-1 antibody, anti-CD45/common leukocyte antigen antibody (clone 30F11, BD PharMingen), anti-F4/80 antibody (CI: A3-1, BMA Biomedicals AG), and anti-mouse TNF- antibody (Genzyme-Techne), respectively. The infiltrated CD45-positive leukocytes and macrophages in the media and neointima in 3 transverse sections per artery were counted, and the number of infiltrated cells is expressed as the mean of values obtained from 3 independent sections per artery of 8 to 10 mice.

Statistical Analysis
Values are expressed as mean±SEM in the text and figures. The data were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA. If a statistically significant effect was found, post hoc analysis was performed to detect the difference between the groups. A value of P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

	Results

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Vascular Remodeling Induced by Cuff Placement
The area of neointima 14 days after the cuff placement around the femoral artery was 2-fold larger in the Agtr2- mouse than in the Agtr2+ mouse, whereas medial area was not different in the 2 groups (Figure 1a). Indexes of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were higher in the Agtr2- mice than in the Agtr2+ mice (Figure 1b and 1c). As we previously reported,¹⁰ AT₁ mRNA was upregulated in response to cuff placement, and the expression of AT₁ in Agtr2- mice after vascular injury is comparable to those in wild-type mice. AT₂ expression was stimulated markedly from the baseline undetectable level by Northern blot. The peak effect was observed at 5 days after cuff placement, then the expression of AT₂ declined gradually. Consistent with our previous results, Northern blot shows that the expression of AT₁ was increased and the AT₂ was reexpressed 7 days after cuff placement in the Agtr2+ mice (Figure 2). In the Agtr2- mice, the mRNA of AT₁ appears not to be different from that in the Agtr2+ mice (Figure 2). As previously reported,¹⁰ immunohistochemistry using the antibody to AT₂ demonstrated that AT₂ expression was observed mainly in the media and neointima and was associated with -SM actin, indicating that AT₂ was localized to vascular smooth muscle cells, although possible endothelial expression of AT₂ could not be excluded.

View larger version (30K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. Effects of valsartan treatment (Val) on morphological changes, DNA synthesis, and cell proliferation after cuff placement. a, Morphometric analysis of cuffed femoral artery in Agtr2+ and in Agtr2- mice with or without valsartan at 14 days after cuff placement. b, BrdU uptake in media and neointima of cuffed femoral artery 7 days after operation. c, Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index (PCNA-positive nuclei/total nuclei) was analyzed at 7 days after cuff placement. Open bars, without valsartan; solid bars, with valsartan. n=8 to 10 for each group. *P<0.05 vs without valsartan. P<0.05 vs Agtr2+ mice. Values are mean±SEM.

View larger version (53K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 2. Northern blot of angiotensin receptor mRNA. Cuffed arteries with or without treatment with valsartan (Val) at 7 days after operation and control intact arteries were harvested. Result is representative of data obtained in 3 different experiments. Cuff indicates cuff placement.

Effects of AT₁ Blockade on Vascular Remodeling
As shown in Figure 1a and the Table, the area of neointima after cuff placement was decreased by valsartan in the Agtr2+ mice. The inhibition by valsartan was significantly smaller in the Agtr2- mice than in the Agtr2+ mice. This dose of valsartan did not change blood pressure and heart rate in these animals (data not shown). BrdU index in the Agtr2+ mice was significantly suppressed in both media and neointima by valsartan, whereas this inhibition by valsartan was smaller in the Agtr2- mice than in the Agtr2+ mice (Figure 1b and Table). The ratio of PCNA-positive cells was also decreased with valsartan, whereas the effect of valsartan was significantly weaker in the Agtr2- mice. We observed that treatment with valsartan did not influence the mRNA levels of AT₁ and AT₂ (Figure 2).

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 1. Effects of Valsartan on Neointima Formation, BrdU Index, and PCNA Labeling Index

Effects of AT₁ Blockade on MCP-1 Expression
Determined with Northern blot, the basal mRNA level of MCP-1 was similar in the Agtr2+ and Agtr2- mice, and the mRNA level was increased 2.8±0.3-fold 7 days after cuff placement in the Agtr2+ mice; this increase appeared to be greater in the Agtr2- mice (4.5±0.4-fold, P<0.05 versus Agtr2+) (Figure 3). The increase in mRNA of MCP-1 was inhibited by valsartan in the Agtr2+ mice (63.3±6.2% inhibition), but this inhibitory effect of valsartan was attenuated in the Agtr2- mice (35.2±4.1% inhibition versus Agtr2+, P<0.05). Consistent with these results, the protein contents of MCP-1 determined by Western blot were increased after cuff placement, with a higher increase in Agtr2- mice (2.4±0.3-fold increase in Agtr2+ mice versus 5.2±0.5-fold increase in Agtr2- mice, P<0.05), and valsartan effectively inhibited the increase in protein contents of MCP-1, whereas the inhibitory effect of valsartan on MCP-1 protein level was weaker (65.2±7.1% inhibition in Agtr2+ mice versus 35.5±3.9% inhibition in Agtr2- mice, P<0.05) (Figure 4a). In immunohistochemical staining 7 days after operation, MCP-1 is localized mainly in media and neointima in both the Agtr2+ and Agtr2- mice after cuff placement (Figure 4b). In the Agtr2- mice, MCP-1, especially in the media, was stained more strongly in the Agtr2- than the Agtr2+ mice.

View larger version (53K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 3. Effects of valsartan on expression of MCP-1 mRNA in femoral arteries 7 days after cuff placement in Agtr2+ and Agtr2- mice. Result is representative of data obtained in 4 different experiments.

View larger version (60K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 4. Western blot (a) and immunohistochemical staining (b) of MCP-1. a, Result is representative of data obtained in 4 independent experiments with different sample pools. b, Result is representative of data obtained from 8 to 10 animals. Magnification x100.

Effect of AT₁ Blockade on Inflammatory Response
Immunohistochemical study shows that the infiltrations of CD45-positive leukocytes and macrophages in the injured vessels 7 days after cuff placement were enhanced, whereas infiltration of these cells was less in Agtr2+ mice (CD45-positive leukocytes: 10±2 in Agtr2+ mice versus 30±5 in Agtr2- mice per transverse section, P<0.05; macrophages: 15±4 in Agtr2+ mice versus 26±5 in Agtr2- mice per transverse section, P<0.05) (Figure 5). Valsartan effectively inhibited the inflammatory cell infiltration in the injured vessels in both strains; however, this inhibitory effect of valsartan was less in Agtr2- mice (CD45-positive leukocytes: 48±5% inhibition in Agtr2+ mice versus 32±3% inhibition in Agtr2- mice, P<0.05; macrophages: 52±5% inhibition in Agtr2+ mice versus 29±4% inhibition in Agtr2- mice, P<0.05) (Figure 5). We also examined the expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-, IL-6, and IL-1ß, in the injured artery as determined by RT-PCR 7 days after operation (Figure 6). The expressions of TNF-, IL-6, and IL-1ß were upregulated in Agtr2+ mice and further enhanced in Agtr2- mice. Valsartan inhibited the increase in the expression of these cytokines, but these inhibitory effects of valsartan were weaker in Agtr2- mice (Figure 6). We examined the expression of TNF- at the protein level by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining (Figure 7a). As shown in Figure 7a, expression of TNF- in noninjured arteries was comparable in Agtr2+ and Agtr2- mice and was enhanced in Agtr2+ mice and further exaggerated in Agtr2- mice (3.4±0.4-fold increase in Agtr2+ mice versus 6.5±0.6-fold increase in Agtr2- mice, P<0.05). AT₁ blockade by valsartan decreased TNF- expression in Agtr2+ mice, and this effect of valsartan was weaker in Agtr2- mice (51.2±5.9% inhibition in Agtr2+ mice versus 24. 6±3.1% inhibition in Agtr2- mice, P<0.05). Similar results were obtained by immunohistochemical analysis (Figure 7b).

View larger version (79K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 5. Immunohistochemical staining of CD45 (a) and macrophage (F4/80) (b) in injured arteries 7 days after operation. Result is representative of data obtained from 8 to 10 animals. Magnification x100.

View larger version (50K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 6. Effect of valsartan on expression of inflammatory cytokines. Tissue samples were prepared from cuffed arteries 7 days after operation and control mice. One representative result of 4 independent RT-PCRs using different sample pools.

View larger version (57K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 7. Effect of AT1 blocker on TNF- expression. a, One representative result of 4 independent Western blots using different sample pools. b, Immunohistochemical staining. Result is representative of data obtained from 8 to 10 animals. Magnification x100.

	Discussion

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Most of the beneficial effects provided by AT₁ blocker appear to be related to a more complete blockade of AT₁. Costimulation of the uninhibited AT₂, however, appears to play some role in the improvement of cardiovascular remodeling and decrease blood pressure.^13,14 To further clarify the possibility of the potential roles of AT₂ stimulation associated with AT₁ blocker in vascular remodeling, we used AT₂-null mice, and we chose the inflammation-induced nonconstricting cuff model because it is very reproducible, whereas vascular injury induced by intraluminal balloon or wire in the mouse is quite variable. We demonstrated that treatment with even a small dose of valsartan effectively attenuated neointima formation, along with a decrease in the DNA synthesis in the media and the neointima, whereas these effects of valsartan were significantly weaker in Agtr2- mice.

Previous in vitro studies have shown that the AT₂ can mediate growth inhibition in various cells.^1,2 Using in vivo gene transfer, we have demonstrated that overexpression of the AT₂ inhibited the subsequent development of the neointima.¹⁵ Moreover, Liu et al¹³ demonstrated that AT₂ expressed in failed rat heart decreased interstitial collagen deposition and cardiomyocyte size. In contrast, Levy et al¹⁶ reported that chronic blockade of AT₂ in Ang II-induced hypertensive rats had no effect on arterial pressure but antagonized the effect of Ang II on arterial hypertrophy and fibrosis. We reported that neointima formation in response to vascular injury, coronary artery thickening, and perivascular fibrosis after aortic banding were exaggerated in Agtr2- mice.^10,17 In contrast, Senbonmatsu et al¹⁸ observed recently that the targeted deletion of mouse AT₂ prevented the left ventricular hypertrophy resulting from pressure overload. Harada et al⁸ demonstrated that there were no significant differences between wild-type and AT_1a-null mice in the extent of histological findings, such as increased cross-sectional areas of the neointima and the media in the vascular injured model, and that treatment with subpressor doses of Ang II after injury enhanced the growth of neointima in wild-type mice but not in AT_1a-null mice. Moreover, they reported that treatment with the selective AT₁ blocker CV-11974 significantly decreased the formation of neointima only in wild-type mice, whereas treatment with the selective AT₂ antagonist PD-123319 had no effects in either animal group. They suggested that AT₁-mediated Ang II signaling is not essential for the development of neointima formation, although it may modify it, and that AT₂ was not involved in neointima formation. In contrast, we demonstrated that valsartan effectively attenuated neointima formation in the injured vessels in both Agtr2+ and Agtr2- mice, whereas neointima formation was exaggerated in Agtr2- mice and the inhibitory effect of valsartan on neointima formation was weaker in Agtr2- mice. Moreover, we previously demonstrated that the AT₂ antagonist PD123319 increased neointima formation in the cuff-induced vascular injury model in wild-type mice,¹⁰ suggesting that both AT₁ and AT₂ are important for regulating neointima formation in this cuff-induced vascular injury model. These apparently conflicting results are at least partially due to the methods used to introduce vascular injury. Harada et al⁸ introduced the curved flexible angioplasty wire into the left common carotid artery via the external carotid artery and passed it along the artery 3 times; subsequently, a polyethylene tube (PE10) was immediately introduced into the artery and was passed along the vessel 3 times. The tube was then removed, and the external carotid artery was tied off proximal to the incision hole with a proximal ligature. In contrast, we isolated the left femoral artery from the surrounding tissues, placed a polyethylene tube (PE-90) loosely around the artery, and kept the tube. We also have to take the difference of genetic background of the mice into account, because the genetic background of our Agtr2- mice is FBV/N, and theirs are C57BL/6. These apparently conflicting results may provide evidence for heterogeneity in the effects of AT₁ and/or AT₂ stimulation in different tissues, cells, experimental conditions, species, and/or genetic backgrounds in vascular remodeling. Taken together, these results raised the question of whether the stimulation of AT₁ as well as AT₂ is essential in regulation of neointima formation in response to vascular injury in different disease states. These issues have to be addressed in the near future. In this context, our results provide new insights that stimulation of uninhibited AT₂ might play some role in the beneficial effects of AT₁ blocker in vascular inflammation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in the cuff-induced vascular injury mouse model.

The cuff injury model stimulates an inflammatory reaction that appears to play an important role in mediating the formation of neointimal hyperplasia.¹⁰ MCP-1 induction was higher in Agtr2- mice, especially in the media and neointima cells, where AT₂ was specifically expressed. These results raise the possibility that AT₂ stimulation exerts an inhibitory effect against MCP-1 expression. The expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-, IL-6, and IL-1ß, increased in cuff-injured artery and was higher in Agtr2- mice. These results provide us with the new idea that AT₂ has anti-inflammatory effects against AT₁ in the injured vessel.

AT₁-mediated MCP-1 expression is decreased by tyrosine kinase inhibitor and the mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor.³ Accumulating evidence revealed opposite intracellular effects of AT₁ and AT₂. AT₂ receptors are reported to activate phosphatases such as MKP-1, SHP-1, and PP2A, which results in the inactivation of AT₁- and/or growth factor-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK).^1,2 Therefore, it seems conceivable that the specific phosphatase(s) may antagonize the pathway of AT₁-mediated MCP-1 production. MCP-1 gene expression has been reported to be regulated by the cooperative action of NF-B and AP-1.^19,20 NF-B activation consists of the dissociation of inhibitor-B (IB), and phosphorylation of IB is a prerequisite for its degradation and subsequent liberation of active NF-B. Therefore, it seems possible that the specific phosphatase(s) activated by AT₂ may antagonize the pathway of AT₁-mediated MCP-1 production. Indeed, Hoshi et al²¹ reported that PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK, suppressed NF-B transcriptional activity. We also observed that AT₁-induced c-fos expression is inhibited by AT₂ stimulation,²² suggesting that the transcriptional activity of AP-1 might be decreased by AT₂ stimulation and result in the inhibition of MCP-1 expression. In contrast, recent reports demonstrated that AT₂ as well as AT₁ stimulation increased NF-B transcriptional activity.^23,24 It might be possible, however, that increased cytokine expression in the injured arteries in Agtr2- mice would enhance NF-B activation, because cytokines such as TNF- and IL-1ß are potent inducers of NF-B activation.²⁵

Valsartan significantly decreased MCP-1 expression, the production of inflammatory cytokines, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in cuff-injured artery, whereas valsartan was less effective in the inhibition of inflammation in Agtr2- mice. This result indicates that costimulation of uninhibited AT₂ is important in mediating the beneficial effect of valsartan on the improvement of vascular inflammation and remodeling. In conclusion, specific AT₁ blockade with valsartan is associated with AT₂ stimulation, attenuates neointima formation, and inhibits inflammation in the injured artery.

	Acknowledgments

 
This work was supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture of Japan; the Japan Research Foundation for Clinical Pharmacology; Tokyo Biochemical Research Foundation; and a grant from the Smoking Research Foundation.

Received June 28, 2001; revision received September 5, 2001; accepted September 10, 2001.

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				S. Sriramula, M. Haque, D. S.A. Majid, and J. Francis Involvement of Tumor Necrosis Factor-{alpha} in Angiotensin II-Mediated Effects on Salt Appetite, Hypertension, and Cardiac Hypertrophy Hypertension, May 1, 2008; 51(5): 1345 - 1351. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Li, Y. Doerffel, B. Hocher, and T. Unger Inflammation in the genesis of hypertension and its complications the role of angiotensin II Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., November 1, 2007; 22(11): 3107 - 3109. [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Mateo, Y. Naim Abu Nabah, M. Losada, R. Estelles, C. Company, B. Bedrina, J. M. Cerda-Nicolas, S. Poole, P. J. Jose, J. Cortijo, et al. A critical role for TNF{alpha} in the selective attachment of mononuclear leukocytes to angiotensin-II-stimulated arterioles Blood, September 15, 2007; 110(6): 1895 - 1902. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. F. de Godoy and S. Rattan Translocation of AT1- and AT2-Receptors by Higher Concentrations of Angiotensin II in the Smooth Muscle Cells of Rat Internal Anal Sphincter J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., December 1, 2006; 319(3): 1088 - 1095. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Okada, T. Inoue, T. Kikuta, Y. Watanabe, Y. Kanno, S. Ban, T. Sugaya, M. Horiuchi, and H. Suzuki A Possible Anti-Inflammatory Role of Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor in Immune-Mediated Glomerulonephritis during Type 1 Receptor Blockade Am. J. Pathol., November 1, 2006; 169(5): 1577 - 1589. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Fujita, H. Okuda, O. Tsukamoto, Y. Asano, Y. L. A. Hirata, J. Kim, T. Miyatsuka, S. Takashima, T. Minamino, H. Tomoike, et al. Blockade of Angiotensin II Receptors Reduces the Expression of Receptors for Advanced Glycation End Products in Human Endothelial Cells Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., October 1, 2006; 26(10): e138 - e139. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Takaoka, S. Uemura, H. Kawata, K.-i. Imagawa, Y. Takeda, K. Nakatani, N. Naya, M. Horii, S. Yamano, Y. Miyamoto, et al. Inflammatory Response to Acute Myocardial Infarction Augments Neointimal Hyperplasia After Vascular Injury in a Remote Artery Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., September 1, 2006; 26(9): 2083 - 2089. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. L. Sales, G. K. Sukhova, M. A. Lopez-Ilasaca, P. Libby, V. J. Dzau, and R. E. Pratt Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor Is Expressed in Murine Atherosclerotic Lesions and Modulates Lesion Evolution Circulation, November 22, 2005; 112(21): 3328 - 3336. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Iwai, R. Chen, Z. Li, T. Shiuchi, J. Suzuki, A. Ide, M. Tsuda, M. Okumura, L.-J. Min, M. Mogi, et al. Deletion of Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Exaggerated Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E-Null Mice Circulation, September 13, 2005; 112(11): 1636 - 1643. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Okumura, M. Iwai, A. Ide, M. Mogi, M. Ito, and M. Horiuchi Sex Difference in Vascular Injury and the Vasoprotective Effect of Valsartan Are Related to Differential AT2 Receptor Expression Hypertension, September 1, 2005; 46(3): 577 - 583. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Akishita, K. Nagai, H. Xi, W. Yu, N. Sudoh, T. Watanabe, M. Ohara-Imaizumi, S. Nagamatsu, K. Kozaki, M. Horiuchi, et al. Renin-Angiotensin System Modulates Oxidative Stress-Induced Endothelial Cell Apoptosis in Rats Hypertension, June 1, 2005; 45(6): 1188 - 1193. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Tsuda, M. Iwai, J.-M. Li, H.-S. Li, L.-J. Min, A. Ide, M. Okumura, J. Suzuki, M. Mogi, H. Suzuki, et al. Inhibitory Effects of AT1 Receptor Blocker, Olmesartan, and Estrogen on Atherosclerosis Via Anti-Oxidative Stress Hypertension, April 1, 2005; 45(4): 545 - 551. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Alfakih, R. A. Lawrance, A. Maqbool, K. Walters, S. G. Ball, A. J. Balmforth, and A. S. Hall The clinical significance of a common, functional, X-linked angiotensin II type 2-receptor gene polymorphism (-1332 G/A) in a cohort of 509 families with premature coronary artery disease Eur. Heart J., March 2, 2005; 26(6): 584 - 589. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Q. Zhao, K. Egashira, K.-i. Hiasa, M. Ishibashi, S. Inoue, K. Ohtani, C. Tan, M. Shibuya, A. Takeshita, and K. Sunagawa Essential Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Flt-1 Signals in Neointimal Formation After Periadventitial Injury Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., December 1, 2004; 24(12): 2284 - 2289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z. Li, M. Iwai, L. Wu, H.-W. Liu, R. Chen, T. Jinno, J. Suzuki, M. Tsuda, X.-Y. Gao, M. Okumura, et al. Fluvastatin Enhances the Inhibitory Effects of a Selective AT1 Receptor Blocker, Valsartan, on Atherosclerosis Hypertension, November 1, 2004; 44(5): 758 - 763. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. T. Johnstone, A. S. Perez, I. Nasser, R. Stewart, A. Vaidya, F. Al Ammary, B. Schmidt, G. Horowitz, J. Dolgoff, J. Hamilton, et al. Angiotensin Receptor Blockade With Candesartan Attenuates Atherosclerosis, Plaque Disruption, and Macrophage Accumulation Within the Plaque in a Rabbit Model Circulation, October 5, 2004; 110(14): 2060 - 2065. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Nickenig Should Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers and Statins Be Combined? Circulation, August 24, 2004; 110(8): 1013 - 1020. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Iwai, H.-W. Liu, R. Chen, A. Ide, S. Okamoto, R. Hata, M. Sakanaka, T. Shiuchi, and M. Horiuchi Possible Inhibition of Focal Cerebral Ischemia by Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Stimulation Circulation, August 17, 2004; 110(7): 843 - 848. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Johren, A. Dendorfer, and P. Dominiak Cardiovascular and renal function of angiotensin II type-2 receptors Cardiovasc Res, June 1, 2004; 62(3): 460 - 467. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Shiuchi, M. Iwai, H.-S. Li, L. Wu, L.-J. Min, J.-M. Li, M. Okumura, T.-X. Cui, and M. Horiuchi Angiotensin II Type-1 Receptor Blocker Valsartan Enhances Insulin Sensitivity in Skeletal Muscles of Diabetic Mice Hypertension, May 1, 2004; 43(5): 1003 - 1010. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Kawai, K. Ando, A. Tojo, T. Shimosawa, K. Takahashi, M. L. Onozato, M. Yamasaki, T. Ogita, T. Nakaoka, and T. Fujita Endogenous Adrenomedullin Protects Against Vascular Response to Injury in Mice Circulation, March 9, 2004; 109(9): 1147 - 1153. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]