Abstract:  Autophagy provides protective effects on the maintenance of normal vascular structure and function. However, an overactivation of autophagy contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension and other vascular diseases. The imbalance of vascular autophagy is involved in the occurrence and development of hypertensive vascular remodeling and injury, which is closely related to abnormal expression or activity of ACE2/Apelin signaling. This review will focus on the latest advancement and regulatory roles of ACE2/Apelin signaling in vascular autophagy and the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Key words: hypertension, renin-angiotensin system, autophagy, angiotensin Ⅱ