title: Therapeutic targets of renin-angiotensin system in ocular disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review current literature on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-mediated pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets in ocular diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive literature survey was performed on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases published from 1977 to 2016. The search terms were a RAS, angiotensin, angiotensin receptor, prorenin, pro (renin) receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, angiotensin receptor blocker associated with ocular disorders like cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), macular degeneration, and uveitis. Articles were reviewed on the basis of the association between ocular disorders and RAS and relevant articles were discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature revealed that the individual RAS components including renin, angiotensins, angiotensin converting enzymes, and RAS receptors have been expressed in the specific ocular tissues like retina, choroid, and ciliary body. The activation of both circulatory and local RAS potentiate the various inflammatory and angiogenic signaling molecules, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and advanced glycation end products (AGE) in the ocular tissues and leads to several blinding disorders like DR, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. The classical and newer RAS inhibitors have illustrated protective effects on blinding disorders, including DR, glaucoma, macular degeneration, uveitis, and cataract.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RAS components are present in the extrarenal tissues including ocular tissue and have an imperative role in the ocular pathophysiology. The clinical studies are needed to show the role of therapeutic modalities targeting RAS in the treatment of different ocular disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur Chhattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Choudhary
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur Chhattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: Mandeep Singh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur Chhattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: Amrita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur Chhattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: Surendra H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bodakhe
keywords: (Pro) renin receptor; Angiotensin II; Angiotensin II type 1 receptor; Ocular disorders; Ocular renin-angiotensin system