Aliskiren, a novel renin inhibitor versus angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor in advanced experimental diabetic nephropathy

However, prorenin is increased in the ischaemic and diabetic eye, and by angiotensin II blockade.Recently, there has been interest in the role of the (pro)renin receptor [(P)RR] in ocular disease.The (P)RR has been localised to retinal blood vessels, and by our group to neurons and Müller cells.The (P)RR may have a pathological role in the injured retina, with (P)RR inhibition attenuating angiogenesis and leukostasis.Together these findings suggest that prorenin may be a target for therapeutic intervention in ocular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy.However, still to be determined is how prorenin and the (P)RR contribute to vascular, neuronal and dysfunction in retinal development and disease.