Related Experiment Videos
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in lung diseases
Keiji Kuba1, Yumiko Imai, Josef M Penninger
1IMBA, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Bohr-gasse 3, A-1030 Vienna, Austria. Keiji.kuba@imba.oeaw.ac.at
Current Opinion in Pharmacology
|April 4, 2006
Summary
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is crucial for blood pressure and lung health. Enhancing ACE2 activity may offer a new treatment for acute lung failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulates blood pressure, fluid, and salt balance.
- Angiotensin II, a key RAS peptide, causes vasoconstriction and has diverse biological roles.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) generates angiotensin II, with significant expression in lung capillaries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the RAS in acute lung injury, particularly acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
- To explore the potential of ACE2 as a therapeutic target for acute lung failure.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on RAS involvement in acute and chronic lung diseases.
- Examination of ACE2's function as a negative regulator of the RAS and its role in SARS-CoV infections.
- Analysis of animal models demonstrating ACE2's protective effects against acute lung injury.
Main Results:
- The RAS is implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases like pulmonary hypertension and fibrosis.
- Recent evidence highlights the critical role of the RAS in acute lung diseases, including ARDS.
- ACE2 acts as a protective factor against acute lung injury in animal models.
Conclusions:
- The RAS significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of acute lung injury.
- Increasing ACE2 activity presents a potential novel therapeutic strategy for acute lung failure in various diseases.