The Role of the Immune System in the Development of Hypertension

Hypertension is one of the most widespread public health concerns worldwide and remains a major contributor to serious cardiovascular complications. Traditionally, elevated blood pressure and subsequent organ injury have been linked primarily to hemodynamic mechanisms. However, recent evidence highlights a key role for inflammation in this process. The immune system—comprising diverse cells, signaling molecules, and tissues—normally protects the host, yet under certain circumstances, its components can become pathogenic. Hypertension appears to be one such condition: some immune elements promote blood pressure elevation, whereas others exert protective effects. This review summarizes current findings on how both innate and adaptive immune cells influence the development of hypertension.

Cite this article as: Şensoy NÖ, Kazan S, Ulu S, Güngör Ö. The role of the immune system in the development of hypertension. Turk J Nephrol. 2026;35(3):194-201.