Cerebrovascular Angiotensin AT₁ Receptor Regulation in Cerebral Ischemia

The mechanism behind the positive response to the inhibition of the angiotensin II receptor AT₁ in conjunction with stroke is elusive. Here we demonstrate that cerebrovascular AT₁ receptors show increased expression (upregulation) after cerebral ischemia via enhanced translation. This enhanced expression of AT₁ 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.