title: The ocular renin-angiotensin system: a therapeutic target for the treatment of ocular disease.
abstract: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is most well-known for its role in regulation and dysregulation of blood pressure as well as fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Due to its ability to cause cardiovascular disease, the RAS is the target of a multitude of drugs that antagonize its pathophysiological effects. While the "classical" RAS is a systemic hormonal system, there is an increasing awareness of the existence and functional significance of local RASs in a number of organs, e.g., liver, kidney, heart, lungs, reproductive organs, adipose tissue and adrenal. The eye is one of these organs where a compelling body of evidence has demonstrated the presence of a local RAS. Individual components of the RAS have been shown to be present in many structures of the eye and their potential functional significance in ocular disease states is described. Because the eye is one of the most important and complex organs in the body, this review also discusses the implications of dysregulation of the systemic RAS on the pathogenesis of ocular diseases and how pharmacological manipulation of the RAS might lead to novel or adjunctive therapies for ocular disease states.
authors.affiliation: 4148 NW 19th Terrace, Oakland Park FL 33309, United States. Electronic address: mgiese1960@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Giese
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, United States. Electronic address: rs1251@nova.edu.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Speth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Angiotensin II; Eye; Glaucoma; Ocular; Renin–angiotensin system; Retina