Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and the kidney

Maria Jose Soler, Jan Wysocki, Daniel Batlle*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 is a homologue of ACE with enzymatic activity that seems to counterbalance the angiotensin II-promoting effect of ACE. While ACE promotes angiotensin (Ang) II formation from Ang I, ACE2 degrades Ang II and Ang I. In this review, we discuss recent studies that have delineated the localization of ACE2 within the kidney, an organ that highly expresses this enzyme. In models of diabetic kidney, pharmacological ACE2 inhibition is associated with albuminuria and worsening of glomerular injury. Similarly, genetic ablation of ACE2 causes glomerular lesions in male mice and worsens the renal lesions seen in diabetic Akita mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that a decrease in ACE2 may be involved in diabetic kidney disease, possibly by disrupting the metabolism of angiotensin peptides in such a way that angiotensin II degradation within the glomerulus may be diminished.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)549-556
Number of pages8
JournalExperimental Physiology
Volume93
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology (medical)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Physiology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and the kidney'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this