Collecting duct renin: a major player in angiotensin II-dependent hypertension

Recently, interest on the role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the pathophysiology of hypertension has shifted toward greater emphasis on new developments in local RAS in specific tissues. We have focused our recent investigations on the role of the intrarenal-intratubular RAS in hypertension. All of the components needed for angiotensin II generation are present within the various compartments in the kidney. This brief review is focused on recent evidence that inappropriate activation of renin in distal nephron segments, by acting on angiotensinogen generated in the proximal tubule cells and delivered to the distal nephron may contribute to increased distal intrarenal angiotensin II formation, sodium retention, and development and progression of hypertension.