Emerging concepts in hypertension.

Cellular redox balance is vital in health and disease. In this Forum, we highlight the importance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the regulation of redox balance in different organ systems of the body and ROS contribution to the development of hypertension. The Forum examines interactions between oxidative and nitrosative stress in the brain, vasculature, and kidney, and redox effect on end-organ damage and hypertension. Furthermore, the Forum examines the role of immune cells in the modulation of hypertension. We also introduce a new role for endoplasmic reticulum stress in the induction of ROS and its possible contribution to the development of hypertension. Finally, we explore the clinical relevance of increased ROS in the setting of human hypertension.