Angiotensin receptor

Internal medicine

Receptor

Angiotensin-converting enzyme

Angiotensin II

Blood pressure

Biology

Mode of action

Angiotensin II receptor type 1

Proinflammatory cytokine

Renin–angiotensin system

Immunology

Inflammation

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers

Biochemistry

Medicine

Immune system

Pharmacology

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

This review article is focused on antihypertensive drugs, namely angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), and their immunomodulatory properties reported in hypertensive patients as well as in experimental settings involving studies on animal models and cell lines. The immune regulatory action of ACEI and ARB is mainly connected with the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine secretion, diminished expression of adhesion molecules, and normalization of CRP concentration in the blood plasma. The topic has significant importance in future medical practice in the therapy of patients with comorbidities with underlying chronic inflammatory responses. Thus, this additional effect of immune regulatory action of ACEI and ARB may also benefit the treatment of patients with metabolic syndrome, allergies, or autoimmune disorders.

Immunomodulatory Activity of the Most Commonly Used Antihypertensive Drugs—Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers