Key pointsA locally generating, angiotensin II (ANG II) system is present in the rat carotid body (CB) and up‐regulation of this system occurs in certain pathophysiological situations, enhancing sympathetic activity.Here, we show that, similar to chemoreceptor type I cells, glial‐like type II cells also express functional AT1Rs, stimulation of which causes release of Ca2+from intracellular stores.ANG II–AT1R signalling in type II cells activates an inward current carried by pannexin‐1 (Panx‐1) channels which are known to act as conduits for release of ATP, a key CB excitatory neurotransmitter.Combined effects of ANG II and ATP, which also activates Panx‐1 currents via P2Y2 receptors, were synergistic; chelating intracellular Ca2+with BAPTA prevented Panx‐1 current activation.We propose that the excitatory function of ANG II in the CB involves dual actions at both type I and type II cells.AbstractA local angiotensin‐generating system is present in the carotid body (CB) and increased angiotensin II (ANG II) signalling contributes to enhanced CB excitation in chronic heart failure (CHF) and after chronic or intermittent hypoxia. ANG II actions have thus far been attributed solely to stimulation of AT1receptors (AT1Rs) on chemoreceptor type I cells. Here, we show that in dissociated rat CB cultures, ANG II also stimulates glial‐like type II cells, identified by P2Y2‐receptor‐induced intracellular Ca2+elevation (Δ[Ca2+]i). ANG II induced a dose‐dependent (EC50∼8 nm), robust Δ[Ca2+]iin type II cells that was reversibly abolished by the AT1R blocker losartan (1 μm). The ANG II‐induced Δ[Ca2+]ipersisted in Ca2+‐free medium but was sensitive to store depletion with cyclopiazonic acid (1 μm). Similar to P2Y2 receptor agonists, ANG II (20–1000 nm) activated pannexin‐1 (Panx‐1) current that was reversibly abolished by carbenoxolone (5 μm). This current arose with a variable delay and was reversibly inhibited by losartan. Repeated application of ANG II often led to current run‐down, attributable to AT1R desensitization. When applied to the same cell the combined actions of ANG II and ATP on Panx‐1 current were synergistic. Current induced by either ligand was inhibited by BAPTA‐AM (1 μm), suggesting that intracellular Ca2+signalling contributed to Panx‐1 channel activation. Because open Panx‐1 channels release ATP, a key CB excitatory neurotransmitter, it is plausible that paracrine stimulation of type II cells by ANG II contributes to enhanced CB excitability, especially in pathophysiological conditions such as CHF and sleep apnoea.