Role of angiotensin II in stem cell therapy of cardiac disease

Abstract

Introduction: The renin angiotensin system (RAS) is closely related to the cardiovascular system, body fluid regulation and homeostasis. Materials and methods: Despite common therapeutic methods, stem cell/progenitor cell therapy is daily increasing as a term of regenerative medicine. RAS and its pharmacological inhibitors are not only involved in physiological and pathological aspects of the cardiovascular system, but also affect the different stages of stem cell proliferation, differentiation and function, via interfering cell signaling pathways. Results: This study reviews the new role of RAS, in particular Ang II distinct from other common roles, by considering its regulating impact on the different signaling pathways involved in the cardiac and endothelial tissue, as well as in stem cell transplantation. Conclusions: This review focuses on the impact of stem cell therapy on the cardiovascular system, the role of RAS in stem cell differentiation, and the role of RAS inhibition in cardiac stem cell growth and development.