Anatomy of the renin-angiotensin system in the normal and pathological kidney

In this review we describe the contributions made by immunocytochemistry to our knowledge of the renin-angiotensin system in the normal and the pathological kidney. Most of the renin-secreting cells appear to be on the outer aspect of the vessel wall, supporting the view that renin is secreted mainly into the interstitium of the kidney rather than into the lumen of the vessel. Angiotensin II immunoreactivity is present within renin-secreting cells. The angiotensin II appears to be present in high concentration in the renin storage granules and is therefore presumably secreted from the cell with renin. The pathways by which renin is secreted from the cell have also been clarified. In pathological kidneys, the reactions of renin-secreting cells to variation in functional demand have been confirmed. Renin-containing cells have also been found in most types of renal tumours and occasional cases probably secrete renin or prorenin into the blood. In renal tumours and in the developing kidney (in all species studied) the renin-containing cells are also intimately associated with blood vessels.