Cerebrovascular angiotensin AT1 receptor regulation in cerebral ischemia.

The mechanism behind the positive response to the inhibition of the angiotensin II receptor AT(1) in conjunction with stroke is elusive. Here we demonstrate that cerebrovascular AT(1) receptors show increased expression (upregulation) after cerebral ischemia via enhanced translation. This enhanced expression of AT(1) receptors occurs in the ischemic cerebral arteries and microvessels, and their inhibition results in a reduction in infarct volume. These findings add to the understanding of the vascular component in stroke, and the identified inhibition provides a new way to reduce the extent of cerebral ischemic damage.