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Angiotensin converting enzyme expression in primary pulmonary hypertension
D P Schuster1, E C Crouch, W C Parks
1Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University Medical School, Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is elevated in pulmonary hypertension (PPH) patients, particularly in pulmonary artery tissues. This suggests ACE may play a role in the vascular remodeling seen in PPH.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a severe condition characterized by vascular remodeling.
- The role of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in PPH pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunoreactivity of ACE in pulmonary artery and lung tissues of PPH patients.
- To compare ACE levels in PPH tissues with those from normal donors.
Main Methods:
- Immunoreactivity for ACE was assessed in lung tissues from eight PPH patients and eight normal donors.
- Tissues were obtained during lung transplantation procedures.
Main Results:
- ACE immunoreactivity was significantly increased in the endothelium and neointimal regions of elastic pulmonary arteries in PPH patients compared to controls.
- In muscular pulmonary arteries, ACE immunoreactivity was comparable to surrounding capillaries in PPH patients, unlike in normal arteries.
Conclusions:
- Elevated ACE immunoreactivity in pulmonary arteries suggests its involvement in the vascular remodeling and neointimal formation characteristic of PPH.
- ACE may be a key factor in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension.