Objective:To investigate the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ stimulation on podocyte apoptosis and autophagy and the potential mechanism.Methods:Podocytes were cultured in vitro and were then stimulated by different concentrations of angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ）.CCK8 assay and flow cytometry were used to measure the changes in the levels of cell proliferation and apoptosis.Immunofluorescence assay was used to measure the distribution and expression of LC3-Ⅱ.Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of LC3-Ⅱ

Beclin-1

and p-mTOR.Results:Compared with the normal group

the group treated with 10

-6

mol/L Ang Ⅱ had significant podocyte apoptosis（with an apoptosis rate of 18.4%±7.9%） and significant inhibition of cell proliferation（with cell viability of 70.0%±9.0%）（P

<

0.05）.Compared with the control group

there were significant increases in the expression of LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 after Ang Ⅱ stimulation

with an insignificant positive correlation between autophagy level and Ang Ⅱ concentration

and a significant reduction in the expression level of p-mTOR

suggesting that the mTOR signaling pathway was inhibited.Conclusion:Ang Ⅱ can induce podocyte apoptosis and initiate autophagy

which may be associated with inhibition of the mTOR signaling pathway and thus provides new ideas for the prevention and treatment of kidney diseases in clinical practice.