Whereas angiotensin-converting enzyme promotes the formation of angiotensin II, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 promotes the degradation of angiotensin II to angiotensin-(1-7). We review recent studies dealing with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in kidney disease and hypertension, and discuss the potential therapeutic benefit of increasing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activity in the treatment of these diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: In glomeruli from diabetic mice, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression is downregulated, and pharmacological inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 leads to worsening of albuminuria, increased mesangial matrix deposition and fibronectin expression. The deletion of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 gene in mice leads to worsening of angiotensin II-induced hypertension and has also been shown to cause glomerulosclerosis in aging male mice. SUMMARY: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 is a key enzyme in the renin-angiotensin system that favors the degradation of angiotensin I and angiotensin II. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 inhibition by pharmacological means and by genetic deletion worsens kidney disease in diabetic mice. Strategies geared to increasing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activity may provide a novel therapeutic target within the renin-angiotensin system by enhancing angiotensin II degradation that may complement the current approach of inhibiting angiotensin II formation and action. Amplifying angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activity may have a potential therapeutic role for kidney disease and hypertension.
- MeSH
- aktivace enzymů MeSH
- aktivátory enzymů terapeutické užití MeSH
- angiotensin konvertující enzym genetika metabolismus terapeutické užití MeSH
- angiotensiny metabolismus MeSH
- antihypertenziva terapeutické užití MeSH
- diabetické nefropatie enzymologie farmakoterapie genetika terapie MeSH
- genetická terapie MeSH
- hypertenze enzymologie farmakoterapie genetika terapie MeSH
- ledviny enzymologie účinky léků MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
- rekombinantní proteiny genetika účinky léků MeSH
- renin-angiotensin systém genetika účinky léků MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
