International journal of molecular medicine
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Angiotensin II is well implicated in neointimal proliferation and the resulting restenosis, however, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. The type 2 angiotensin II (AT2) receptor, largely unexpressed in the adult vasculature, however, appears at significant levels after vascular injury. To investigate the specific contribution of AT2 receptor and the interplay of the angiotensin system to neointima, we engineered rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to express the AT2 receptor in a tetracycline-regulated system. ⋯ We conclude that Ang II enhances the MMP-2 expression via AT1R, and that enforces AT2R inhibited the same. These data confirm that AT2R functions to downregulate the effects elicited by Ang II + AT1R signaling and point to the role of MMP and extracellular matrix in vascular injury. The findings provide fresh experimental approaches to prevent or control restenosis through transduction of VSMCs expressing optimal levels of AT2R.