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Characterization of ACE and ACE2 Expression within Different Organs of the NOD Mouse
Heleia Roca-Ho1, Marta Riera2, Vanesa Palau3
1Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. heleia.roca@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Renin angiotensin system (RAS) is known to play a key role in several diseases such as diabetes, and renal and cardiovascular pathologies. Its blockade has been demonstrated to delay chronic kidney disease progression and cardiovascular damage in diabetic patients. In this sense, since local RAS has been described, the aim of this study is to characterize angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 activities, as well as protein expression, in several tissues of the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice model. After 21 or 40 days of diabetes onset, mouse serums and tissues were analyzed for ACE and ACE2 enzyme activities and protein expression. ACE and ACE2 enzyme activities were detected in different tissues. Their expressions vary depending on the studied tissue. Thus, whereas ACE activity was highly expressed in lungs, ACE2 activity was highly expressed in pancreas among the studied tissues. Interestingly, we also observed that diabetes up-regulates ACE mainly in serum, lung, heart, and liver, and ACE2 mainly in serum, liver, and pancreas. In conclusion, we found a marked serum and pulmonary alteration in ACE activity of diabetic mice, suggesting a common regulation. The increase of ACE2 activity within the circulation in diabetic mice may be ascribed to a compensatory mechanism of RAS.
Insights
Diabetes alters the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in mice. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 activities were studied in various tissues, revealing significant changes in diabetic models.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is implicated in diabetes, renal, and cardiovascular diseases.
- RAS blockade shows therapeutic potential in delaying diabetic complications.
- Local RAS components suggest tissue-specific roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 activities and protein expression in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice.
- To investigate tissue-specific alterations in RAS components during diabetes progression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ACE and ACE2 enzyme activities and protein expression in serum and tissues of NOD mice at 21 and 40 days post-diabetes onset.
- Comparative analysis between diabetic and control groups.
Main Results:
- ACE and ACE2 activities were detected in various tissues, with distinct expression patterns (e.g., high ACE in lungs, high ACE2 in pancreas).
- Diabetes significantly up-regulated ACE expression in serum, lung, heart, and liver.
- Diabetes increased ACE2 expression primarily in serum, liver, and pancreas.
Conclusions:
- Significant alterations in serum and pulmonary ACE activity were observed in diabetic mice, suggesting coordinated regulation.
- The observed increase in circulating ACE2 activity in diabetic mice may represent a compensatory response within the RAS.
