TY - JOUR
T1 - Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression and activity in human carotid atherosclerotic lesions
AU - Sluimer, J. C.
AU - Gasc, J. M.
AU - Hamming, I.
AU - van Goor, H.
AU - Michaud, A.
AU - van den Akker, L. H.
AU - Jütten, B.
AU - Cleutjens, J.
AU - Bijnens, A. P. J. J.
AU - Corvol, P.
AU - Daemen, M. J. A. P.
AU - Heeneman, S.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2 is a recently identified homologue of ACE. As ACE2 inactivates the pro-atherogenic angiotensin II, we hypothesize that ACE2 may play a protective role in atherogenesis. The spatiotemporal localization of ACE2 mRNA and protein in human vasculature and a possible association with atherogenesis were investigated using molecular histology (in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry). Also, the ACE : ACE2 balance was investigated using enzymatic assays. ACE2 mRNA was expressed in early and advanced human carotid atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, ACE2 protein was present in human veins, non-diseased mammary arteries and atherosclerotic carotid arteries and expressed in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and macrophages. Quantitative analysis of immunoreactivity showed that total vessel wall expression of ACE and ACE2 was similar during all stages of atherosclerosis. The observed ACE2 protein was enzymatically active and activity was lower in the stable advanced atherosclerotic lesions, compared to early and ruptured atherosclerotic lesions. These results suggest a differential regulation of ACE2 activity during the progression of atherosclerosis and suggest that this novel molecule of the renin-angiotensin system may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis
AB - Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2 is a recently identified homologue of ACE. As ACE2 inactivates the pro-atherogenic angiotensin II, we hypothesize that ACE2 may play a protective role in atherogenesis. The spatiotemporal localization of ACE2 mRNA and protein in human vasculature and a possible association with atherogenesis were investigated using molecular histology (in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry). Also, the ACE : ACE2 balance was investigated using enzymatic assays. ACE2 mRNA was expressed in early and advanced human carotid atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, ACE2 protein was present in human veins, non-diseased mammary arteries and atherosclerotic carotid arteries and expressed in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and macrophages. Quantitative analysis of immunoreactivity showed that total vessel wall expression of ACE and ACE2 was similar during all stages of atherosclerosis. The observed ACE2 protein was enzymatically active and activity was lower in the stable advanced atherosclerotic lesions, compared to early and ruptured atherosclerotic lesions. These results suggest a differential regulation of ACE2 activity during the progression of atherosclerosis and suggest that this novel molecule of the renin-angiotensin system may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1002/path.2357
DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/path.2357
M3 - Article
C2 - 18498093
SN - 0022-3417
VL - 215
SP - 273
EP - 279
JO - Journal of pathology
JF - Journal of pathology
IS - 3
ER -