Angiotensin II and extracellular matrix homeostasis

As a circulating hormone, endocrine properties of angiotensin (Ang) II are integral to circulatory homeostasis. Produced de novo its autocrine/paracrine properties contribute to biologic responses involving various connective tissues (e.g. extracellular matrix, adipose tissue, bone and its marrow). In this brief review, we develop the concept of extracellular matrix homeostasis, a self regulation of cellular composition and structure, wherein fibroblast-derived AngII regulates elaboration of TGF-beta 1, a fibrogenic cytokine responsible for connective tissue formation at normal and pathologic sites of collagen turnover.