The tissue renin-angiotensin system in human pancreas

Evidence exists for the presence of a discrete tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in mouse and rat pancreas that is thought largely to be associated with the vasculature. To investigate this in the human pancreas, and to establish whether the cellular sites of RAS components include the islets of Langerhans, we used immunocytochemistry to localise the expression of angiotensin II (AT1) receptors and (pro)renin, and non-isotopic in situ hybridisation to localise transcription of the (pro)renin gene. Identification of cell types in the islets of Langerhans was achieved using antibodies to glucagon and insulin. The results show the presence of the AT1 receptor and (pro)renin both in the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans, and in endothelial cells of the pancreatic vasculature. Transcription of (pro)renin mRNA, however, was confined to connective tissue surrounding the blood vessels and in reticular fibres within the islets. These findings are similar to those obtained in other tissues, and suggest that renin may be released from its sites of synthesis and taken up by possible cellular sites of action. The results presented here suggest that a tissue RAS may be present in human pancreas and that it may directly affect beta cell function as well as pancreatic blood flow.