Flow (shear stress)-mediated outward remodeling of resistance arteries is involved in collateral growth during postischemic revascularization. Besides the NO pathway the involvement of inflammatory factors and reactive oxygen species has been suggested in this remodeling although the mechanism and the sequence remains unknown. As T cells drive the inflammatory response, we investigated their role in flow-mediated remodeling. Mouse mesenteric resistance arteries (250μm internal diameter) were submitted in vivo to a chronic increase (144±18 to 239±25μl/min) in blood flow. Arteries were collected for in vitro analysis after 1 to 7 days.After 1 week, remodeling occurred in high flow (HF) arteries (diameter increased from 242±21μm to 324±20μm, n=xx per group, P<00.1) in control mice. No remodeling occurred in nude mice and in mice treated with anti-CD3 antibodies. In control arteries lymphocyte T cells accumulate around HF arteries at day 1 (shown using both immunohistology and flow cytometry) and they expressed angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R). In isolated T cells AT2R stimulation induced preferentially IL-17 production (20±6pg/ml to 50±5pg/ml, n=xx per group, P<00.1). We then tested the occurrence of remodeling in mice lacking AT2R or IL-17. In both AT2R-/- and IL-17-/- mice diameter expansion did not occur whereas T cells and myeloid cells accumulation around the HF artery was not affected. IL-17 infusion (5ng/h, Alzet osmotic minipump) to nude mice and to AT2R-/- mice restored HF remodeling to control level. In order to confirm the role of AT2R in flow-mediated remodeling in another vascular territory, neovascularization was examined using an ischemic skin flap model in AT2R-/- mice. As in mesenteric arteries, the absence of AT2R prevented diameter expansion in the arteries feeding the skin flap.we demonstrate for the first time the involvement of lymphocytes T cells polarization into TH17 by angiotensin II type 2 receptor in flow-mediated outward remodeling of resistance arteries.