The renin-angiotensin system and therapeutic vaccines for hypertension.

With increased understanding of the pharmacology of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), many researchers have explored immunological approaches to inhibit components of the RAS for the treatment of hypertension. Active and passive immunizations of the various components of the RAS have been performed, utilizing renin, angiotensin I, angiotensin II and angiotensin II receptor type 1 vaccines. This review discusses the RAS as a target for the development of a hypertension vaccine, and evaluates the safety and efficacy of these vaccines.