On the cover: Cascade of the processing of angiotensin peptides and their interaction with AT1 and AT1-7 receptor systems. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) cleaves angiotension I (Ang I) releasing the dipeptide His-Leu to form Ang II, and ACE2 subsequently hydrolyzes Ang II to Ang-(1-7). ACE also metabolizes Ang-(1-7) to Ang-(1-5) and the dipeptide His-Pro. Ang-(1-12) may be cleaved from angiotensinogen (Aogen) and potentially processed (--->) directly to Ang II or Ang-(1-7). Ang-(1-7) may attenuate the inflammatory and fibrotic actions of the Ang II-AT1 receptor pathway through inhibition (-) of the mean arterial pressure kinase kinase (MAPKK) pathway, the potential stimulation (+) of cellular phosphatases, the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), and other proinflammatory agents, as well as the stimulation of NO. Although not shown, the AT2 and bradykinin receptor systems may interact with these pathways as well. (See page 597.)