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Angiotensinergic Innervation of the Kidney: Present Knowledge and Its Significance

Authors
  • Bohlender, Jürgen1
  • Nussberger, Jürg2
  • Imboden, Hans3
  • 1 University of Bern, Hôpital fribourgeois/CHUV and Institute of Cell Biology, Fribourg, 1708, Switzerland , Fribourg (Switzerland)
  • 2 Division of Angiology and Hypertension, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), 5, Avenue Pierre Decker, Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland , Lausanne (Switzerland)
  • 3 University of Bern, Institute of Cell Biology, Baltzerstrasse 4, Bern, 3012, Switzerland , Bern (Switzerland)
Type
Published Article
Journal
Current Hypertension Reports
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Publication Date
Nov 30, 2012
Volume
15
Issue
1
Pages
10–16
Identifiers
DOI: 10.1007/s11906-012-0322-3
Source
Springer Nature
Keywords
License
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Abstract

Intrarenal neurotransmission implies the co-release of neuropeptides at the neuro-effector junction with direct influence on parameters of kidney function. The presence of an angiotensin (Ang) II-containing phenotype in catecholaminergic postganglionic and sensory fibers of the kidney, based on immunocytological investigations, has only recently been reported. These angiotensinergic fibers display a distinct morphology and intrarenal distribution, suggesting anatomical and functional subspecialization linked to neuronal Ang II-expression. This review discusses the present knowledge concerning these fibers, and their significance for renal physiology and the pathogenesis of hypertension in light of established mechanisms. The data suggest a new role of Ang II as a co-transmitter stimulating renal target cells or modulating nerve traffic from or to the kidney. Neuronal Ang II is likely to be an independent source of intrarenal Ang II. Further physiological experimentation will have to explore the role of the angiotensinergic renal innervation and integrate it into existing concepts.

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