Objective
Angiotensin II (AngII) has been shown to regulate angiogenesis and at high pathophysiological doses to cause vasoconstriction through the AngII receptor type 1 (AT1R). Angiotensin 1-7 (Ang-(1-7)) acting through the Mas1 receptor can act antagonistically to high pathophysiological levels of AngII by inducing vasodilation, while the effects of Ang-(1-7) signaling on angiogenesis are less defined. To complicate the matter, there is growing evidence that a subpressor dose of AngII produces phenotypes similar to Ang-(1-7).
Approach and Results
This study shows that low dose Ang-(1-7), acting through the Mas1 receptor, promotes angiogenesis and vasodilation similarly to a low, subpressor dose of AngII acting through AT1R. Additionally, we show through in vitro tube formation that Ang-(1-7) augments the angiogenic response in rat microvascular endothelial cells. Utilizing proteomic and genomic analyses, downstream components of Mas1 receptor signaling were identified, including Rho Family GTPases, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase D1, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) signaling. Further experimental antagonism of ERK1/2 and p38MAPK signaling inhibited endothelial tube formation and vasodilation when stimulated with equimolar, low doses of either AngII or Ang-(1-7).
Conclusions
These results significantly expand the known Ang-(1-7)/Mas1 receptor signaling pathway and demonstrate an important distinction between the pathological effects of elevated and suppressed AngII as compared to the beneficial effects of AngII normalization and Ang-(1-7) administration. The observed convergence of Ang-(1-7)/Mas1 and AngII/AT1R signaling at low ligand concentrations suggests a nuanced regulation in vasculature. These data also reinforce the importance of MAPK/ERK signaling in maintaining vascular function.