Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Autoantibodies in Primary Aldosteronism

Abstract

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common form of endocrine hypertension. Agonistic autoantibodies against the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT 1 R-Abs) have been described in transplantation medicine and women with pre-eclampsia and more recently in patients with PA. Any functional role of AT 1 R-Abs in either of the two main subtypes of PA (aldosterone-producing adenoma or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia) requires clarification. In this review, we discuss the studies performed to date on AT 1 R-Abs in PA.