The Angiotensin AT2 Receptor: A major constituent of the "Protective Arm" of the Renin-Angiotensin System

Since its discovery, more than twenty-five years ago, the angiotensin AT2 receptor (AT2R) has puzzled the scientific community because of its distinct localization, regulation, signalling pathways and biological effects separating it clearly from the classical features of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) mediated by the angiotensin AT1 receptor. Intensive research over the years has revealed major characteristics of the AT2R as a modulatory player involved in anti-proliferation, anti-inflammation, natriuresis, neuroregeneration and apoptosis, i.e. biological programs that can counterbalance patholological processes and enable recovery from disease. The AT2R has thus mutated from an ?enigmatic? receptor to a significant member of the ?protective arm? of the RAS. The recent development of novel, small molecule-and peptide-derived AT2R agonists offers a therapeutic potential in humans with a variety of clinical indications.