AGT and atherosclerosis: In addition, Ang II modulates vascular cell migration and growth (Yaghini et al., 2010), decreases VSMC apoptosis (Li et al., 2006), alters extracellular matrix modulation composition (Wesselman and De Mey, 2002), and Ang II has been shown to initiate and accelerate hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis (Weiss et al., 2001).