Targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell remodeling by angiotensin II

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a main effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin system that plays an important role in various cardiovascular diseases associated with vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration, including hypertension, atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction (1). Ang II causes a rapid rise in blood pressure by stimulating Ang II type 1 receptor in arterial VSMC to contract. Ang II is also associated with the slow onset of hypertension by cardiac and vascular remodeling induced by cardiovascular cellular hypertrophy, proliferation and migration (2).