Role of angiotensin in the congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract in the mouse and the human

Abstract

The role of angiotensin in fluid and electrolyte and blood pressure homeostasis is well known. Recent developments indicate that angiotensin has a profound role not only in the developing urinary tract but also in the response of the urinary tract to specific noxious stimuli. Furthermore, the role of angiotensin II and its receptor has been understood quite poorly with respect to the developing renal unit. Knockout mice for the ATR2 gene show a significant incidence of congenital urinary tract anomalies. The congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) seen in these mice are very similar to the anomalies observed in humans. This has been supported further by the finding of an abnormality in the genetic sequence in patients with CAKUT. This article reviews experimental laboratory data as well as the potential implications for humans.