Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a carboxypeptidase that cleaves angiotensin II to angiotensin 1-7. Recently, it was reported that mice lacking ACE2 (ACE2(-/y) mice) exhibited reduced cardiac contractility. Because mechanical pressure overload activates the cardiac renin-angiotensin system, we used ACE2(-/y) mice to analyze the role of ACE2 in the response to pressure overload. Twelve-...

BACKGROUND Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a primary component of the vasoprotective axis in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), has recently been found to have regulatory actions in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. We explored the hypothesis that the level of ACE2 protein contents may be decreased in patients with pulmonary arterial hyper...

To the Editor: We read with interest the recent article, “Sex Differences in Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Modulation of Ang (1–7) Levels in Normotensive WKY Rats,”1 by Bhatia et al. in which they report their investigation of the enzymatic mechanisms whereby female rats have higher levels of angiotensin (1–7) (Ang (1–7)) than male rats. They measured the enzymatic activities of angiotensin-con...

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a component of the renin-angiotensin system, and its expression and activity have been shown to be reduced in cardiovascular diseases. Enzymatic activity of ACE2 is commonly measured by hydrolysis of quenched fluorescent substrates in the absence or presence of an ACE2-specific inhibitor, such as the commercially available inhibitor DX600. Whereas recom...

DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY is a leading cause of progressive renal failure and mortality in an increasing number of patients, as well as a key risk factor in cardiovascular disease, and constitutes an accelerating burden on the healthcare system. Blockade of the renin-angiotensin systems (RAS) continues to be an effective therapeutic strategy to attenuate diabetic renal injury and the decline in rena...

Oxidative stress is associated with development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Angiotensin II produces oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, and its actions may be attenuated by the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2) which converts angiotensin II to the vasoprotective peptide angiotensin (1-7). Similarly, increased oxidative stress is associated with aor...

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been recognized for many years as critical pathway for blood pressure control and kidney functions. Although most of the well-known cardiovascular and renal effects of RAS are attributed to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), much less is known about the function of ACE2. Experiments using genetically modified mice and inhibitor studies have shown that AC...

Angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2) is a pivotal component of the renin-angiotensin system, promoting the conversion of angiotensin II (Ang-II) to Ang-(1-7). We previously reported that decreased ACE2 expression and activity contributes to the development of Ang-II-mediated hypertension in mice. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms involved in ACE2 downregulation during...

Levels of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a cardio and neuro-protective carboxypeptidase, are dynamically altered after stroke in preclinical models. We sought to characterize the previously unexplored changes in serum ACE2 activity of stroke patients and the mechanism of these changes. Serum samples were obtained from patients during acute ischemic stroke (n=39), conditions mimicking s...

Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms of ageing-associated vascular dysfunction. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and microRNA (miR)-18a have shown to be down-regulated in ageing cells. Our previous study has shown that ACE2-primed endothelial progenitor cells (ACE2-EPCs) have protective effects on endothelial cells (ECs), which might be due to their released exosomes (EXs). Here, we ...