Role of Angiotensin II in Hepatic Inflammation through MAPK Pathway: A Review

Renin Angiotensin system (RAS) regulates multiple physiological, pharmacological and pathological functions throughout the body by interacting with angioteinsinII (AngII) receptor type 1 (AT1R) and Ang II receptor type 2 (AT2R). However, Ang II is being blamed for damaging several organs like kidney, heart, adrenal cortex, smooth muscles, brain, pancreas, endothelial function and liver. On the other hand, mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathways are normally observed everywhere and extremely regulated process for a eukaryotic cell cycle. Like Ang II, MAPK also contributes several physiological and pathological functions once it is activated. Moreover, MAPK cascade is also considered as a key signaling pathway that strictly controls various stimulated cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, fibrosis and apoptosis. We have explained that how Ang II is responsible for MAPK activation and its further consequences in cytoplasm and nucleus for regulation of several inflammatory and proinflammatory cytokines. Overall, all signaling components may appear as an important regulatory messenger in the induction of hepatic cellular inflammation, and therefore, it could serve as targets for therapeutic intervention diseases like hepatitis and other related complications.