The retina expresses a local renin-angiotensin system (RAS). This study aimed to investigate the influence of systemic modulation of renin synthesis on the expression of renin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) which forms part of the blood/retina barrier. Freshly isolated RPE cells showed expression of renin 1A which is the secreted isoform of renin. Systemic administration of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril in mice increased the renin expression in both the kidney and the retina. Systemic infusion of angiotensin II (AngII) led to a decrease in the renin expression in the kidney and in the retina. However, water deprivation lead to an increase of the renin expression in the kidney but unexpectedly to a decrease of the renin expression in the retina. In sections of the mouse retina the AngII receptor AT1 was found in the RPE and localized at the blood side of the epithelium. Short-time cultured RPE cells showed increases in intracellular free Ca2+ in response to stimulation by AngII. In summary we conclude that the renin expression in cells of the blood/retina barrier is influenced by the systemic RAS. AngII circulating in the plasma is likely a mediator of this influence.