Cross-Section of Hypertensive Molecular Signaling Pathways: Understanding Pathogenesis and Identifying Improved Drug Targets

Hypertension is a chronic medical state and a major determining factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases. Both genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to hypertensive conditions among individuals. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) is a major genetic target for the anti-hypertension approach. The majority of classical antihypertensive drugs were mainly focused on the RAAS signaling pathways. Though these antihypertensive drugs control Blood Pressure (BP), they have mild to severe life-threatening effects. Unrevealing effective hypertensive targets for BP management is essential. The effective targets could emerge either from RAAS-dependent or RAAS-independent pathways and/or through the cross-talks among them. Analyzing the physiopathological mechanisms of hypertension has the benefit of understanding the interactions between these systems which helps in better understanding of drug targets and the importance of emergence of novel therapeutics. This review is about the signaling pathways involved in hypertension pathogenesis and their cross-talks and it contributes to a better understanding of the etiology of hypertension.