The renin-angiotensin system(RAS)regulates vascular tone and plays a critical role in vascular remodeling,which is the result of a complex interplay of alterations in vascular tone and structure.Inhibition of the RAS has led to important pharmacological tools to prevent and treat vascular diseases such as hypertension,diabetic vasculopathy and atherosclerosis.Angiotensin converting enzyme 2(ACE2)was recently identified as a multifunctional monocarboxypeptidase responsible for the conversion of angiotensin(Ang)II to Ang-(1-7).The ACE2/Ang-(1-7)signaling has been shown to prevent cellular proliferation,pathological hypertrophy,oxidative stress and vascular fibrosis.Thus,the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)signaling is deemed to be beneficial to the cardiovascular system as a negative regulator of the RAS.The addition of the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)signaling to the complexities of the RAS may lead to the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of hypertension and other vascular diseases.The present review considers recent findings regarding the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)signaling and focuses on its regulatory roles in processes related to proliferation,inflammation,vascular fibrosis and remodeling,providing proof of principle for the potential use of ACE2 as a novel therapy for vascular disorders related to vascular remodeling.
ZHANG ZhenZhouCHEN LaiJiangZHONG JiuChangGAO PingJinOUDIT Gavin Y.
心血管疾病是严重危害人类健康的头号杀手。据统计，全球每年约有1 700万人死于心血管疾病；在中国每年约有300万人死于心血管疾病，占总死亡原因的41％。沉默信息调节因子（silent information regulator，SIRT）6在糖脂代谢、炎性反应和基因组稳定性中的调控作用对于心血管疾病的发生、发展至关重要。在心血管系统中，SIRT6可一定程度地抑制心脏肥大和心力衰竭，有助于改善血管内皮功能障碍，延缓动脉粥样硬化易损斑块的形成。
