In humans, infusion of angiotensin II increases erythropoietin (EPO) serum levels in a dose-dependent manner. However, it is not known whether angiotensin II stimulates EPO-producing renal fibroblasts directly via a receptor or by alteration of renal hemodynamics with a consecutive decrease of renal blood flow. The purpose of this study was to investigate EPO secretion and gene expression under direct angiotensin II stimulation in a cell model thereby excluding hemodynamic effects.