Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been shown to accelerate atherogenesis, and the cellular Ang II type 1 (AT 1 ) -receptor mediates most of Ang II-induced proatherogenic effects. In this study we have examined the effect of macrophage oxidative stress on cellular AT 1 -receptor expression.Mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) from apolipoprotein-E deficient (E 0 ) mice at increasing ages (1-6 months) demonstrated an age-dependent increase in cellular lipid-peroxides (PD) content. In parallel, the AT 1 -receptor mRNA and protein levels both increased by up to 3.7-fold and 1.7-fold, respectively, in MPM from 6-month old mice compared with 1-month old mice. Vitamin E supplementation to E 0 mice significantly decreased the MPM PD content and macrophage AT 1 -receptor mRNA expression compared with placebo-treated mice. The role of oxidative stress in the cellular expression of AT 1 -receptors was further demonstrated by manipulation of macrophage glutathione content. Buthionine-sulfoximine, a glutathione synthesis inhibitor, increased MPM PD content and AT 1 -receptor mRNA expression, whereas L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, that contributes to glutathione synthesis, reduced macrophage PD and AT 1 -receptor mRNA expression. Incubation of MPM with oxidised low-density lipoproteins (LDL) led to a significant, dose-dependent and time-dependent increase in macrophage AT 1 -receptor mRNA and protein expression, compared with control cells. In contrast, native LDL or acetylated LDL did not significantly affect macrophage AT 1 -receptor mRNA expression.In conclusion, our findings suggest that oxidative stress in macrophages induces AT 1 -receptor expression. This phenomenon can stimulate the interaction of Ang II with macrophages and hence accelerate macrophage foam cell formation and early atherogenesis.