Hypertension research : official journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension
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The angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1a (AT1a) receptor is expressed on multiple cell types in atherosclerotic lesions, including bone marrow-derived cells and vascular wall cells, and mediates inflammatory and proliferative responses. Indeed, Ang II infusion accelerates atherogenesis in hyperlipidemic mice by recruiting monocytes and by activating vascular wall cells. Here, we investigated the relative roles of AT1a receptors in the bone marrow vs. the vascular wall in Ang II-induced atherogenesis. ⋯ These molecules normally initiate later macrophage-mediated inflammation in the vascular wall. By contrast, AT1a receptor deficiency in the bone marrow did not affect MCP-1-induced monocyte chemotaxis in vitro. In conclusion, AT1a receptors in the host vascular wall, but not in the bone marrow, are essential in Ang II-induced atherogenesis.