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Opportunities for Targeting the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/Angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas Receptor Pathway in Hypertension

  • Hypertension and the Kidney (RM Carey and A Mimran, Section Editors)
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Abstract

It is well known that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. This is well illustrated by the great success of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin (Ang) II AT1 blockers in the treatment of hypertension and its complications. In the past decade, the classical concept of RAS orchestrated by a series of enzymatic reactions culminating in the linear generation and action of Ang II has expanded and become more complex. From the discoveries of new components such as the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 and the receptor Mas emerged a novel concept of dual opposite branches of the RAS: one vasoconstrictor and pro-hypertensive composed of ACE/Ang II/AT1; and other vasodilator and anti-hypertensive composed of ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas. In this review we will discuss recent findings concerning the biological role of the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas arm in the cardiovascular system and highlight the initiatives to develop potential therapeutic strategies based on this axis for treating hypertension.

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Disclosure

Dr. R.A. Fraga-Silva: grant from the Brazilian Swiss Joint Research Program. Dr. A.J. Ferreira: none. Dr. R.A.S. Santos: one of the authors of the patent “Process of Preparation of Formulations of the Peptide Angiotensin-(1-7) and its Analogues, Agonistic and Antagonists Using Cyclodextrins, Lipossomes and Biodegradable Polymers and/or Mixtures and Products Thereof” - WO/2003/039434.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Science and Technology in Nanobiopharmaceutics, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Rodrigo Araujo Fraga-Silva, Anderson Jose Ferreira & Robson Augusto Souza dos Santos

  2. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Robson Augusto Souza dos Santos

  3. Department of Morphology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Anderson Jose Ferreira

  4. Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Rodrigo Araujo Fraga-Silva

  5. Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 – UFMG, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Robson Augusto Souza dos Santos

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  1. Rodrigo Araujo Fraga-Silva
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Fraga-Silva, R.A., Ferreira, A.J. & dos Santos, R.A.S. Opportunities for Targeting the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/Angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas Receptor Pathway in Hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep 15, 31–38 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-012-0324-1

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