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Ávila-Martínez DV, Mixtega-Ruiz WK, Hurtado-Capetillo JM, Lopez-Franco O, Flores-Muñoz M. Counter-regulatory RAS peptides: new therapy targets for inflammation and fibrotic diseases? Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1377113. [PMID: 38666016 PMCID: PMC11044688 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1377113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important cascade of enzymes and peptides that regulates blood pressure, volume, and electrolytes. Within this complex system of reactions, its counter-regulatory axis has attracted attention, which has been associated with the pathophysiology of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. This review article analyzes the impact of different components of the counter-regulatory axis of the RAS on different pathologies. Of these peptides, Angiotensin-(1-7), angiotensin-(1-9) and alamandine have been evaluated in a wide variety of in vitro and in vivo studies, where not only they counteract the actions of the classical axis, but also exhibit independent anti-inflammatory and fibrotic actions when binding to specific receptors, mainly in heart, kidney, and lung. Other functional peptides are also addressed, which despite no reports associated with inflammation and fibrosis to date were found, they could represent a potential target of study. Furthermore, the association of agonists of the counter-regulatory axis is analyzed, highlighting their contribution to the modulation of the inflammatory response counteracting the development of fibrotic events. This article shows an overview of the importance of the RAS in the resolution of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, offering an understanding of the individual components as potential treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana V Ávila-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Medicina Traslacional, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
- Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
| | - Wendy K Mixtega-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Medicina Traslacional, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | | | - Oscar Lopez-Franco
- Laboratorio de Medicina Traslacional, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
- Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
| | - Mónica Flores-Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Medicina Traslacional, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
- Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
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2
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Kaschina E, Lauer D, Lange C, Unger T. Angiotensin AT 2 receptors reduce inflammation and fibrosis in cardiovascular remodeling. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116062. [PMID: 38369211 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The angiotensin AT2 receptor (AT2R), an important member of the "protective arm" of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), has been recently defined as a therapeutic target in different pathological conditions. The AT2R activates complex signalling pathways linked to cellular proliferation, differentiation, anti-inflammation, antifibrosis, and induction or inhibition of apoptosis. The anti-inflammatory effect of AT2R activation is commonly associated with reduced fibrosis in different models. Current discoveries demonstrated a direct impact of AT2Rs on the regulation of cytokines, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), and synthesis of the extracellular matrix components. This review article summarizes current knowledge on the AT2R in regard to immunity, inflammation and fibrosis in the heart and blood vessels. In particular, the differential influence of the AT2R on cardiovascular remodeling in preclinical models of myocardial infarction, heart failure and aneurysm formation are discussed. Overall, these studies demonstrate that AT2R stimulation represents a promising therapeutic approach to counteract myocardial and aortic damage in cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Kaschina
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Max Rubner Center for Cardiovascular Metabolic Renal Research (MRC), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Dilyara Lauer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Max Rubner Center for Cardiovascular Metabolic Renal Research (MRC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Lange
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Max Rubner Center for Cardiovascular Metabolic Renal Research (MRC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Unger
- CARIM - School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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3
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An Y, Xu C, Liu W, Jiang J, Ye P, Yang M, Zhu W, Yu J, Yu M, Sun W, Hong J, Qiu H, Wei W, Zhang S. Angiotensin II type-2 receptor attenuates liver fibrosis progression by suppressing IRE1α-XBP1 pathway. Cell Signal 2024; 113:110935. [PMID: 37866666 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been recognized as a crucial contributor to the development of liver fibrosis, and AT2R, an essential component of RAS, is involved in the progression of liver fibrosis. However, the underlying mechanisms by which AT2R modulates liver fibrosis remain elusive. Here, we report that AT2R was induced to be highly expressed during the progression of liver fibrosis, and the elevated AT2R attenuates liver fibrosis by suppressing IRE1α-XBP1 pathway. In this study, we found that AT2R is not expressed in the no cirrhotic adult liver, but is induced expression during liver fibrosis in both cirrhotic patients and fibrotic mice models. Upregulated AT2R inhibits the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In addition, our study showed that during liver fibrosis, AT2R deletion increased the dimerization activation of IRE1α and promoted XBP1 splicing, and the spliced XBP1s could promote their transcription by binding to the AT2R promoter and repress the IRE1α-XBP1 axis, forming an AT2R-IRE1α-XBP1 negative feedback loop. Importantly, the combination treatment of an AT2R agonist and an endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) alleviator significantly attenuated liver fibrosis in a mouse model of liver fibrosis. Therefore, we conclude that the AT2R-IRE1α signaling pathway can regulate the progression of liver fibrosis, and AT2R is a new potential therapeutic target for treating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue An
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Changyong Xu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wenmin Liu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ji Jiang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Pengfei Ye
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Weihua Zhu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jingjing Yu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Manman Yu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wuyi Sun
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jian Hong
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Huan Qiu
- School of Nursing, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Shihao Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University; Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
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Villela DC, Namsolleck P, Reichetzeder C, Moll GN. AT 2 receptor agonist LP2 restores respiratory function in a rat model of bleomycin-induced lung remodelling. Peptides 2023; 170:171106. [PMID: 37742799 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of angiotensin II type 2 receptor peptide agonist LP2 in bleomycin-induced airway and cardiac remodeling in rats. Male Wistar rats were intratracheally instillated with bleomycin. Animals of a prophylactic arm received LP2 from day 0 at intraperitoneal doses of 1, 3 or 10 μg/kg/d, whereas animals from a therapeutic arm received this LP2 treatment from day 7. On day 28 direct lung mechanics were determined and cardiac and lung tissues were collected and (histo)morphologically assessed. Prophylactic LP2 at 1 µg/kg/d with bleomycin, versus bleomycin alone, significantly improved the airway pressure responses at fixed inflation of 4 ml (p < 0.05) and 7 ml volume (p < 0.05), static compliance (p < 0.01), inspiratory capacity (p < 0.05), lung tolerance of increased volume (p < 0.0001), right to left ventricular hypertrophy (p < 0.05). Therapeutic regime showed a similar trend as the prophylactic arm but was less effective, mostly lacking significance. However, and importantly, therapeutic LP2 at 1 µg/kg/d significantly decreased mRNA expression of collagen 1A1 (p < 0.01), of Connective Tissue Growth Factor 1 (p < 0.05) and of Tissue MetalloPeptidase inhibitor 1 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a very low dose of 1 µg/kg/d LP2 has capacity to counter bleomycin-induced impairment of lung functioning and consequent cardiac remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Campos Villela
- Faculty of Medicine, University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Brazil
| | - Pawel Namsolleck
- PCDA Pharma Consulting & Data Analytics, Ten Boer, the Netherlands
| | | | - Gert N Moll
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Linnaeusborg, Nijenborg 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Luo W, Gu Y, Fu S, Wang J, Zhang J, Wang Y. Emerging opportunities to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Design, discovery, and optimizations of small-molecule drugs targeting fibrogenic pathways. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 260:115762. [PMID: 37683364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common fibrotic form of idiopathic diffuse lung disease. Due to limited treatment options, IPF patients suffer from poor survival. About ten years ago, Pirfenidone (Shionogi, 2008; InterMune, 2011) and Nintedanib (Boehringer Ingelheim, 2014) were approved, greatly changing the direction of IPF drug design. However, limited efficacy and side effects indicate that neither can reverse the process of IPF. With insights into the occurrence of IPF, novel targets and agents have been proposed, which have fundamentally changed the treatment of IPF. With the next-generation agents, targeting pro-fibrotic pathways in the epithelial-injury model offers a promising approach. Besides, several next-generation IPF drugs have entered phase II/III clinical trials with encouraging results. Due to the rising IPF treatment requirements, there is an urgent need to completely summarize the mechanisms, targets, problems, and drug design strategies over the past ten years. In this review, we summarize known mechanisms, target types, drug design, and novel technologies of IPF drug discovery, aiming to provide insights into the future development and clinical application of next-generation IPF drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Luo
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yilin Gu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Siyu Fu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, Tennessee, United States
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China.
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6
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Young ON, Bourke JE, Widdop RE. Catch your breath: The protective role of the angiotensin AT 2 receptor for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 217:115839. [PMID: 37778444 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease whereby excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) ultimately leads to respiratory failure. While there have been advances in pharmacotherapies for pulmonary fibrosis, IPF remains an incurable and irreversible disease. There remains an unmet clinical need for treatments that reverse fibrosis, or at the very least have a more tolerable side effect profile than currently available treatments. Transforming growth factor β1(TGFβ1) is considered the main driver of fibrosis in IPF. However, as our understanding of the role of the pulmonary renin-angiotensin system (PRAS) in the pathogenesis of IPF increases, it is becoming clear that targeting angiotensin receptors represents a potential novel treatment strategy for IPF - in particular, via activation of the anti-fibrotic angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R). This review describes the current understanding of the pathophysiology of IPF and the mediators implicated in its pathogenesis; focusing on TGFβ1, angiotensin II and related peptides in the PRAS and their contribution to fibrotic processes in the lung. Preclinical and clinical assessment of currently available AT2R agonists and the development of novel, highly selective ligands for this receptor will also be described, with a focus on compound 21, currently in clinical trials for IPF. Collectively, this review provides evidence of the potential of AT2R as a novel therapeutic target for IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia N Young
- Department of Pharmacology and Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jane E Bourke
- Department of Pharmacology and Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Department of Pharmacology and Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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Abstract
The current epidemic of corona virus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in an immense health burden that became the third leading cause of death and potentially contributed to a decline in life expectancy in the United States. The severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 binds to the surface-bound peptidase angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2, EC 3.4.17.23) leading to tissue infection and viral replication. ACE2 is an important enzymatic component of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) expressed in the lung and other organs. The peptidase regulates the levels of the peptide hormones Ang II and Ang-(1-7), which have distinct and opposing actions to one another, as well as other cardiovascular peptides. A potential consequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 infection is reduced ACE2 activity by internalization of the viral-ACE2 complex and subsequent activation of the RAS (higher ratio of Ang II:Ang-[1-7]) that may exacerbate the acute inflammatory events in COVID-19 patients and possibly contribute to the effects of long COVID-19. Moreover, COVID-19 patients present with an array of autoantibodies to various components of the RAS including the peptide Ang II, the enzyme ACE2, and the AT1 AT2 and Mas receptors. Greater disease severity is also evident in male COVID-19 patients, which may reflect underlying sex differences in the regulation of the 2 distinct functional arms of the RAS. The current review provides a critical evaluation of the evidence for an activated RAS in COVID-19 subjects and whether this system contributes to the greater severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 infection in males as compared with females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C. Chappell
- Hypertension and Vascular Research Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
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8
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Tornling G, Batta R, Salvail D, Raud J, Denton CP. Effects of the Oral Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Agonist C21 in Sugen-Hypoxia Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087478. [PMID: 37108643 PMCID: PMC10139154 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Substantial evidence supports the involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in pulmonary hypertension (PH), and the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) is known to exert tissue protective actions. The effect of the selective AT2R agonist C21 (also known as Compound 21 or buloxibutid) was evaluated in the rat Sugen-hypoxia PH model. After a single injection of Sugen 5416 and hypoxia for 21 days, C21 (2 or 20 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered perorally twice daily from Day 21 to Day 55. On Day 56, hemodynamic assessments were performed, and lung and heart tissue were prepared for quantification of cardiac and vascular remodeling and fibrosis. Treatment with C21 20 mg/kg improved cardiac output and stroke volume and decreased right ventricular hypertrophy (all p < 0.05). Treatment with C21 2 mg/kg significantly decreased vessel wall and muscular layer thickness and increased the luminal opening in vessels >100 μm (all p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two C21 doses on any parameter, and post hoc analyses comparing the merged C21 groups with the vehicle group showed that C21 treatment reduced vascular remodeling (reduced endothelial proliferation and thickening of the vascular wall) in vessels of all sizes; moreover, the diastolic pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular pressure were reduced along with reduction of right ventricular hypertrophy. Sugen 5416 and hypoxia increased pulmonary collagen deposition, which was counteracted by C21 20 mg/kg. In conclusion, the effects of C21 on vascular remodeling, hemodynamic alterations, and fibrosis suggest that AT2R agonists may have a role in Group 1 and 3 PH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göran Tornling
- Respiratory Medicine Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Dan Salvail
- IPS Therapeutique Inc., Sherbrooke, QC J1L 2T9, Canada
| | - Johan Raud
- Vicore Pharma AB, 11127 Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christopher P Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology, Royal Free Hospital, University College Medical School, London NW3 2PS, UK
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Gan PXL, Liao W, Linke KM, Mei D, Wu XD, Wong WSF. Targeting the renin angiotensin system for respiratory diseases. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2023; 98:111-144. [PMID: 37524485 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an indispensable role in regulating blood pressure through its effects on fluid and electrolyte balance. As an aside, cumulative evidence from experimental to clinical studies supports the notion that dysregulation of RAS contributes to the pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidative, and pro-fibrotic processes that occur in pulmonary diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and acute lung injury (ALI). Pharmacological intervention of the various RAS components can be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these respiratory diseases. In this chapter, we first give a recent update on the RAS, and then compile, review, and analyse recent reports on targeting RAS components as treatments for respiratory diseases. Inhibition of the pro-inflammatory renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin (Ang) II, and Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) axis, and activation of the protective ACE2, AT2R, Ang (1-7), and Mas receptor axis have demonstrated varying degrees of efficacies in experimental respiratory disease models or in human trials. The newly identified alamandine/Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor member D pathway has shown some therapeutic promise as well. However, our understanding of the RAS ligand-and-receptor interactions is still inconclusive, and the modes of action and signaling cascade mediating the newly identified RAS receptors remain to be better characterized. Clinical data are obviously lacking behind the promising pre-clinical findings of certain well-established molecules targeting at different pathways of the RAS in respiratory diseases. Translational human studies should be the focus for RAS drug development in lung diseases in the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis X L Gan
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - W Liao
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore; Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research Enterprise, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kira M Linke
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - D Mei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - X D Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - W S Fred Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore; Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research Enterprise, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Drug Discovery and Optimization Platform, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
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10
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Steckelings UM, Widdop RE, Sturrock ED, Lubbe L, Hussain T, Kaschina E, Unger T, Hallberg A, Carey RM, Sumners C. The Angiotensin AT 2 Receptor: From a Binding Site to a Novel Therapeutic Target. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:1051-1135. [PMID: 36180112 PMCID: PMC9553111 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Discovered more than 30 years ago, the angiotensin AT2 receptor (AT2R) has evolved from a binding site with unknown function to a firmly established major effector within the protective arm of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and a target for new drugs in development. The AT2R represents an endogenous protective mechanism that can be manipulated in the majority of preclinical models to alleviate lung, renal, cardiovascular, metabolic, cutaneous, and neural diseases as well as cancer. This article is a comprehensive review summarizing our current knowledge of the AT2R, from its discovery to its position within the RAS and its overall functions. This is followed by an in-depth look at the characteristics of the AT2R, including its structure, intracellular signaling, homo- and heterodimerization, and expression. AT2R-selective ligands, from endogenous peptides to synthetic peptides and nonpeptide molecules that are used as research tools, are discussed. Finally, we summarize the known physiological roles of the AT2R and its abundant protective effects in multiple experimental disease models and expound on AT2R ligands that are undergoing development for clinical use. The present review highlights the controversial aspects and gaps in our knowledge of this receptor and illuminates future perspectives for AT2R research. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The angiotensin AT2 receptor (AT2R) is now regarded as a fully functional and important component of the renin-angiotensin system, with the potential of exerting protective actions in a variety of diseases. This review provides an in-depth view of the AT2R, which has progressed from being an enigma to becoming a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Muscha Steckelings
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (U.M.S.); Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (R.E.W.); Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (E.D.S., L.L.); Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (T.H.); Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular-Metabolic-Renal (CMR) Research Center, DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany (E.K.); CARIM - School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (T.U.); Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.H.); Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia (R.M.C.); and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (C.S.)
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (U.M.S.); Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (R.E.W.); Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (E.D.S., L.L.); Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (T.H.); Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular-Metabolic-Renal (CMR) Research Center, DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany (E.K.); CARIM - School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (T.U.); Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.H.); Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia (R.M.C.); and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (C.S.)
| | - Edward D Sturrock
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (U.M.S.); Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (R.E.W.); Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (E.D.S., L.L.); Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (T.H.); Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular-Metabolic-Renal (CMR) Research Center, DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany (E.K.); CARIM - School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (T.U.); Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.H.); Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia (R.M.C.); and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (C.S.)
| | - Lizelle Lubbe
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (U.M.S.); Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (R.E.W.); Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (E.D.S., L.L.); Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (T.H.); Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular-Metabolic-Renal (CMR) Research Center, DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany (E.K.); CARIM - School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (T.U.); Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.H.); Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia (R.M.C.); and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (C.S.)
| | - Tahir Hussain
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (U.M.S.); Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (R.E.W.); Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (E.D.S., L.L.); Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (T.H.); Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular-Metabolic-Renal (CMR) Research Center, DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany (E.K.); CARIM - School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (T.U.); Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.H.); Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia (R.M.C.); and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (C.S.)
| | - Elena Kaschina
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (U.M.S.); Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (R.E.W.); Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (E.D.S., L.L.); Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (T.H.); Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular-Metabolic-Renal (CMR) Research Center, DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany (E.K.); CARIM - School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (T.U.); Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.H.); Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia (R.M.C.); and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (C.S.)
| | - Thomas Unger
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (U.M.S.); Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (R.E.W.); Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (E.D.S., L.L.); Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (T.H.); Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular-Metabolic-Renal (CMR) Research Center, DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany (E.K.); CARIM - School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (T.U.); Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.H.); Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia (R.M.C.); and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (C.S.)
| | - Anders Hallberg
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (U.M.S.); Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (R.E.W.); Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (E.D.S., L.L.); Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (T.H.); Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular-Metabolic-Renal (CMR) Research Center, DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany (E.K.); CARIM - School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (T.U.); Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.H.); Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia (R.M.C.); and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (C.S.)
| | - Robert M Carey
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (U.M.S.); Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (R.E.W.); Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (E.D.S., L.L.); Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (T.H.); Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular-Metabolic-Renal (CMR) Research Center, DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany (E.K.); CARIM - School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (T.U.); Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.H.); Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia (R.M.C.); and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (C.S.)
| | - Colin Sumners
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (U.M.S.); Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (R.E.W.); Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (E.D.S., L.L.); Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (T.H.); Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular-Metabolic-Renal (CMR) Research Center, DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany (E.K.); CARIM - School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (T.U.); Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.H.); Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia (R.M.C.); and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (C.S.)
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11
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Norambuena-Soto I, Lopez-Crisosto C, Martinez-Bilbao J, Hernandez-Fuentes C, Parra V, Lavandero S, Chiong M. Angiotensin-(1-9) in hypertension. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 203:115183. [PMID: 35870482 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin-(1-9) [Ang-(1-9)] is a peptide of the non-canonical renin-angiotensin system (RAS) synthesized from angiotensin I by the monopeptidase angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2). Using osmotic minipumps, infusion of Ang-(1-9) consistently reduces blood pressure in several rat hypertension models. In these animals, hypertension-induced end-organ damage is also decreased. Several pieces of evidence suggest that Ang-(1-9) is the endogenous ligand that binds and activates the type-2 angiotensin II receptor (AT2R). Activation of AT2R triggers different tissue-specific signaling pathways. This phenomenon could be explained by the ability of AT2R to form different heterodimers with other G protein-coupled receptors. Because of the antihypertensive and protective effects of AT2R activation by Ang-(1-9), associated with a short half-life of RAS peptides, several synthetic AT2R agonists have been synthesized and assayed. Some of them, particularly CGP42112, C21 and novokinin, have demonstrated antihypertensive properties. Only two synthetic AT2R agonists, C21 and LP2-3, have been tested in clinical trials, but none of them like an antihypertensive. Therefore, Ang-(1-9) is a promising antihypertensive drug that reduces hypertension-induced end-organ damage. However, further research is required to translate this finding successfully to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Norambuena-Soto
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camila Lopez-Crisosto
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Javiera Martinez-Bilbao
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Hernandez-Fuentes
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Valentina Parra
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Network for the Study of High-lethality Cardiopulmonary Diseases (REECPAL), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sergio Lavandero
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mario Chiong
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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12
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Shao X, Zhang X, Zhang R, Zhu R, Hou X, Yi W, Wu F, Hao L, Feng R. The atlas of ACE2 expression in fetal and adult human hearts reveals the potential mechanism of heart injured patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 322:C723-C738. [PMID: 35138176 PMCID: PMC8977135 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00169.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect host cells through binding to angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expressing in various tissues and organs. In this study, we deeply analyzed the single-cell expression profiles of ACE2 in fetal and adult human hearts to explore the potential mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 harming the heart. The molecular docking software was used to simulate the binding of SARS-CoV-2 and its variant spike protein with ACE2. The genes closely related to ACE2 in renin-angiotensin system (RAS) were identified by constructing a protein-protein interaction network. Through the analysis of single-cell transcription profiles at different stages of human embryos, we found that the expression level of ACE2 in ventricular myocytes was increased with embryonic development. The results of single-cell sequencing analysis showed that the expression of ACE2 in ventricular myocytes was upregulated in heart failure induced by dilated cardiomyopathy compared with normal hearts. The upregulation of ACE2 increases the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in fetal and adult human hearts. We also further confirmed the expression of ACE2 and ACE2-related genes in normal and SARS-CoV-2-infected human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. In addition, the pathway analysis revealed that ACE2 may regulate the differently expressed genes in heart failure through calcium signaling pathway and Wnt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuli Shao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ruijia Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Rongli Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiuyang Hou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Weijue Yi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fengmin Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Liying Hao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Rui Feng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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13
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Hopes and Hurdles of Employing Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Treatment of Cardiac Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222313000. [PMID: 34884805 PMCID: PMC8657815 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive cardiac fibrosis plays a crucial role in almost all types of heart disease. Generally, cardiac fibrosis is a scarring process triggered in response to stress, injury, or aging and is characterized by the accumulation of activated myofibroblasts that deposit high levels of extracellular matrix proteins in the myocardium. While it is beneficial for cardiac repair in the short term, it can also result in pathological remodeling, tissue stiffening, and cardiac dysfunction, contributing to the progression of heart failure, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Despite its high prevalence, there is a lack of effective and safe therapies that specifically target myofibroblasts to inhibit or even reverse pathological cardiac fibrosis. In the past few decades, cell therapy has been under continuous evaluation as a potential treatment strategy, and several studies have shown that transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can reduce cardiac fibrosis and improve heart function. Mechanistically, it is believed that the heart benefits from MSC therapy by stimulating innate anti-fibrotic and regenerative reactions. The mechanisms of action include paracrine signaling and cell-to-cell interactions. In this review, we provide an overview of the anti-fibrotic properties of MSCs and approaches to enhance them and discuss future directions of MSCs for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis.
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14
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Tornling G, Batta R, Porter JC, Williams B, Bengtsson T, Parmar K, Kashiva R, Hallberg A, Cohrt AK, Westergaard K, Dalsgaard CJ, Raud J. Seven days treatment with the angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist C21 in hospitalized COVID-19 patients; a placebo-controlled randomised multi-centre double-blind phase 2 trial. EClinicalMedicine 2021; 41:101152. [PMID: 34723163 PMCID: PMC8542174 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 morbidity and mortality remains high and the need for safe and effective drugs continues despite vaccines. METHODS Double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre, randomised, parallel group phase 2 trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of oral angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist C21 in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and CRP ≥ 50-150 mg/L conducted at eight sites in India (NCT04452435). Patients were randomly assigned 100 mg C21 bid or placebo for 7 days in addition to standard of care. Primary endpoint: reduction in CRP. The study period was 21 July to 13 October 2020. FINDINGS 106 patients were randomised and included in the analysis (51 C21, 55 placebo). There was no significant group difference in reduction of CRP, 81% and 78% in the C21 and placebo groups, respectively, with a treatment effect ratio of 0.85 [90% CI 0.57, 1.26]. In a secondary analysis in patients requiring supplemental oxygen at randomisation, CRP was reduced in the C21 group compared to placebo. At the end of the 7-day treatment, 37 (72.5%) and 30 (54.5%) of the patients did not require supplemental oxygen in the C21 and placebo group, respectively (OR 2.20 [90% CI 1.12, 4.41]). A post hoc analysis showed that at day 14, the proportion of patients not requiring supplemental oxygen was 98% and 80% in the C21 group compared to placebo (OR 12.5 [90% CI 2.9, 126]). Fewer patients required mechanical ventilation (one C21 patient; four placebo patients), and C21 was associated with a numerical reduction in the mortality rate (one vs three in the C21 and placebo group, respectively). Treatment with C21 was safe and well tolerated. INTERPRETATION Among hospitalised patients with COVID-19 receiving C21 for 7 days there was no reduction in CRP compared to placebo. However, a post-hoc analysis indicated a marked reduction of requirement for oxygen at day 14. The day 14 results from this study justify further evaluation in a Phase 3 study and such a trial is currently underway. FUNDING Vicore Pharma AB and LifeArc, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göran Tornling
- Respiratory Medicine Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Joanna C. Porter
- UCL Respiratory, Univeristy College London and Department of Thoracic Medicine, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Bryan Williams
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | | | - Kartikeya Parmar
- B J Medical College and Department of Medicine, Civil Hospital, Asarwa, Ahmedabad Gujarat, India
| | - Reema Kashiva
- Department of Medicine, Noble Hospitals Pvt. Ltd, Hadapsar, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Anders Hallberg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Carl-Johan Dalsgaard
- Vicore Pharma AB, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Correspondence to: Dr Carl-Johan Dalsgaard, Vicore Pharma AB, Kronhusgatan 11, SE-411 05 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johan Raud
- Vicore Pharma AB, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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Gupta D, Kumar A, Mandloi A, Shenoy V. Renin angiotensin aldosterone system in pulmonary fibrosis: Pathogenesis to therapeutic possibilities. Pharmacol Res 2021; 174:105924. [PMID: 34607005 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating lung disease with multifactorial etiology characterized by alveolar injury, fibroblast proliferation and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, which progressively results in respiratory failure and death. Accumulating evidence from experimental and clinical studies supports a central role of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) in the pathogenesis and progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Angiotensin II (Ang II), a key vasoactive peptide of the RAAS mediates pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic effects on the lungs, adversely affecting organ function. Recent years have witnessed seminal discoveries in the field of RAAS. Identification of new enzymes, peptides and receptors has led to the development of several novel concepts. Of particular interest is the establishment of a protective axis of the RAAS comprising of Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)], and the Mas receptor (the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis), and the discovery of a functional role for the Angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptor. Herein, we will review our current understanding of the role of RAAS in lung fibrogenesis, provide evidence on the anti-fibrotic actions of the newly recognized RAAS components (the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis and AT2 receptor), discuss potential strategies and translational efforts to convert this new knowledge into effective therapeutics for PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipankar Gupta
- Congenital Heart Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Avinash Mandloi
- College of Pharmacy, VNS Group of Institutions, Bhopal, India
| | - Vinayak Shenoy
- College of Pharmacy, California Health Sciences University, Clovis, CA, USA.
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16
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Almutlaq M, Alamro AA, Alroqi F, Barhoumi T. Classical and Counter-Regulatory Renin-Angiotensin System: Potential Key Roles in COVID-19 Pathophysiology. CJC Open 2021; 3:1060-1074. [PMID: 33875979 PMCID: PMC8046706 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjco.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In the current COVID-19 pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 uses angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors for cell entry, leading to ACE-2 dysfunction and downregulation, which disturb the balance between the classical and counter-regulatory renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in favor of the classical RAS. RAS dysregulation is one of the major characteristics of several cardiovascular diseases; thus, adjustment of this system is the main therapeutic target. RAS inhibitors-particularly angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs)-are commonly used for treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Patients with cardiovascular diseases are the group most commonly seen among those with COVID-19 comorbidity. At the beginning of this pandemic, a dilemma occurred regarding the use of ACEIs and ARBs, potentially aggravating cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. Urgent clinical trials from different countries and hospitals reported that there is no association between RAS inhibitor treatment and COVID-19 infection or comorbidity complication. Nevertheless, the disturbance of the RAS that is associated with COVID-19 infection and the potential treatment targeting this area have yet to be resolved. In this review, the link between the dysregulation of classical RAS and counter-regulatory RAS activities in COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular metabolic diseases is investigated. In addition, the latest findings based on ACEI and ARB administration and ACE-2 availability in relation to COVID-19, which may provide a better understanding of the RAS contribution to COVID-19 pathology, are discussed, as they are of the utmost importance amid the current pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moudhi Almutlaq
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Moudhi Almutlaq, King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +1-966-543-159145.
| | - Abir Abdullah Alamro
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fayhan Alroqi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tlili Barhoumi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Corresponding authors: Dr Tlili Barhoumi, King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +1-966-543-159145.
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17
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Christophides T, Somaschini A, Demarchi A, Cornara S, Androulaki M, Androulakis E. New Drugs and Interventional Strategies for the Management of Hypertension. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1396-1406. [PMID: 33155904 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201106091527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Essential hypertension is an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide with significant clinical and economic implications. The field of antihypertensive treatment already numbers numerous agents and classes of drugs. However, patients are still developing uncontrolled hypertension. Hence there is a continuous need for novel agents with good tolerability. Advances in this field are focusing both on pharmacotherapy, with the developments in traditional and non-traditional targets, as well as interventional techniques such as renal denervation and baroreflex activation therapy. It is likely that future strategies may involve a tailored approach to the individual patient, with genetic modulation playing a key role.
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18
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Kostyunina DS, McLoughlin P. Sex Dimorphism in Pulmonary Hypertension: The Role of the Sex Chromosomes. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:779. [PMID: 34068984 PMCID: PMC8156365 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10050779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition characterised by an abnormal elevation of pulmonary artery pressure caused by an increased pulmonary vascular resistance, frequently leading to right ventricular failure and reduced survival. Marked sexual dimorphism is observed in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a form of pulmonary hypertension with a particularly severe clinical course. The incidence in females is 2-4 times greater than in males, although the disease is less severe in females. We review the contribution of the sex chromosomes to this sex dimorphism highlighting the impact of proteins, microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs encoded on the X and Y chromosomes. These genes are centrally involved in the cellular pathways that cause increased pulmonary vascular resistance including the production of reactive oxygen species, altered metabolism, apoptosis, inflammation, vasoconstriction and vascular remodelling. The interaction with genetic mutations on autosomal genes that cause heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMPR2) are examined. The mechanisms that can lead to differences in the expression of genes located on the X chromosomes between females and males are also reviewed. A better understanding of the mechanisms of sex dimorphism in this disease will contribute to the development of more effective therapies for both women and men.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul McLoughlin
- Conway Institute, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin D04 V1W8, Ireland;
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19
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Latil M, Camelo S, Veillet S, Lafont R, Dilda PJ. Developing new drugs that activate the protective arm of the renin-angiotensin system as a potential treatment for respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:1311-1318. [PMID: 33609783 PMCID: PMC7888990 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has reached pandemic proportions with negative impacts on global health, the world economy and human society. The clinical picture of COVID-19, and the fact that Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a receptor of SARS-CoV-2, suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces an imbalance in the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). We review clinical strategies that are attempting to rebalance the RAS in COVID-19 patients by using ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or agonists of angiotensin-II receptor type 2 or Mas receptor (MasR). We also propose that the new MasR activator BIO101, a pharmaceutical grade formulation of 20-hydroxyecdysone that has anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and cardioprotective properties, could restore RAS balance and improve the health of COVID-19 patients who have severe pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Latil
- Biophytis, Sorbonne Université - BC9, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Serge Camelo
- Biophytis, Sorbonne Université - BC9, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Stanislas Veillet
- Biophytis, Sorbonne Université - BC9, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - René Lafont
- Biophytis, Sorbonne Université - BC9, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, CNRS - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (BIOSIPE), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Pierre J Dilda
- Biophytis, Sorbonne Université - BC9, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France.
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20
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Haddad C, Bou Malhab S, Sacre H, Salameh P. Smoking and COVID-19: A Scoping Review. Tob Use Insights 2021; 14:1179173X21994612. [PMID: 33642886 PMCID: PMC7890709 DOI: 10.1177/1179173x21994612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Smoking affects a person’s overall health and damages nearly every organ of the body. Since smoking tobacco affects and damages the lungs, it increases the risk of respiratory infections and makes it easier for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to invade the lung tissue, causing more severe symptoms and increasing the risk of death. However, debates are still ongoing as to the effect of cigarette smoking on vulnerability to COVID-19. Some studies, where active smokers were underrepresented among patients with COVID-19, claimed that a “smoker’s paradox” may exist in COVID-19 and that smokers are protected from infection and severe complications of COVID-19. However, other studies reported the opposite trend. The objective of this study is to review the findings of epidemiological and in vitro studies about the association between smoking and the risk of contracting COVID-19, taking into account disease severity. Several epidemiological studies have found a higher smoking prevalence among COVID-19 infected patients. Also, studies had shown that people with respiratory diseases caused by tobacco use are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. Studies have shown that in vitro, the acute exposure allows for more severe proximal airway epithelial disease from SARS-CoV-2 by reducing the mucosal innate immune response and the proliferation of airway basal stem cells and has implications for disease spread and severity in people exposed to cigarette smoke, with a more severe viral infection and cell death. Smoker patients with different comorbidities are at higher risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus and have a worse prognosis for the virus as well as for their comorbidities. Further investigations of the interaction between smoking and COVID-19 are warranted to accurately assess the risk of contracting COVID-19 among smokers, and the progression to mechanical ventilation or death in patients who suffer from it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chadia Haddad
- Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon.,INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CH Esquirol, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Sandrella Bou Malhab
- Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et Technologie, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Hala Sacre
- INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Épidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Pascale Salameh
- INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Épidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon.,School of Medicine, University of Nicosia, Cyprus
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21
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Mehrabadi ME, Hemmati R, Tashakor A, Homaei A, Yousefzadeh M, Hemati K, Hosseinkhani S. Induced dysregulation of ACE2 by SARS-CoV-2 plays a key role in COVID-19 severity. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111363. [PMID: 33582450 PMCID: PMC7862910 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of COVID-19, is reported to increase the rate of mortality worldwide. COVID-19 is associated with acute respiratory symptoms as well as blood coagulation in the vessels (thrombosis), heart attack and stroke. Given the requirement of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells, here we discuss how the downregulation of ACE2 in the COVID-19 patients and virus-induced shift in ACE2 catalytic equilibrium, change the concentrations of substrates such as angiotensin II, apelin-13, dynorphin-13, and products such as angiotensin (1–7), angiotensin (1–9), apelin-12, dynorphin-12 in the human body. Substrates accumulation ultimately induces inflammation, angiogenesis, thrombosis, neuronal and tissue damage while diminished products lead to the loss of the anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic and anti-angiogenic responses. In this review, we focus on the viral-induced imbalance between ACE2 substrates and products which exacerbates the severity of COVID-19. Considering the roadmap, we propose multiple therapeutic strategies aiming to rebalance the products of ACE2 and to ameliorate the symptoms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roohullah Hemmati
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord University, Sharekord, Iran; Biotechnology Research Institute, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran; COVID-19 research group, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Univesity, Shahrekord, Iran.
| | - Amin Tashakor
- Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ahmad Homaei
- Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | | | - Karim Hemati
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saman Hosseinkhani
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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22
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Kuriakose J, Montezano A, Touyz R. ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas1 axis and the vascular system: vasoprotection to COVID-19-associated vascular disease. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:387-407. [PMID: 33511992 PMCID: PMC7846970 DOI: 10.1042/cs20200480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The two axes of the renin-angiotensin system include the classical ACE/Ang II/AT1 axis and the counter-regulatory ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas1 axis. ACE2 is a multifunctional monocarboxypeptidase responsible for generating Ang-(1-7) from Ang II. ACE2 is important in the vascular system where it is found in arterial and venous endothelial cells and arterial smooth muscle cells in many vascular beds. Among the best characterized functions of ACE2 is its role in regulating vascular tone. ACE2 through its effector peptide Ang-(1-7) and receptor Mas1 induces vasodilation and attenuates Ang II-induced vasoconstriction. In endothelial cells activation of the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas1 axis increases production of the vasodilator's nitric oxide and prostacyclin's and in vascular smooth muscle cells it inhibits pro-contractile and pro-inflammatory signaling. Endothelial ACE2 is cleaved by proteases, shed into the circulation and measured as soluble ACE2. Plasma ACE2 activity is increased in cardiovascular disease and may have prognostic significance in disease severity. In addition to its enzymatic function, ACE2 is the receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV) and SARS-Cov-2, which cause SARS and coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) respectively. ACE-2 is thus a double-edged sword: it promotes cardiovascular health while also facilitating the devastations caused by coronaviruses. COVID-19 is associated with cardiovascular disease as a risk factor and as a complication. Mechanisms linking COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease are unclear, but vascular ACE2 may be important. This review focuses on the vascular biology and (patho)physiology of ACE2 in cardiovascular health and disease and briefly discusses the role of vascular ACE2 as a potential mediator of vascular injury in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jithin Kuriakose
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Augusto C. Montezano
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Rhian M. Touyz
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
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23
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Zimmer A, Teixeira RB, Constantin RL, Campos-Carraro C, Aparicio Cordero EA, Ortiz VD, Donatti L, Gonzalez E, Bahr AC, Visioli F, Baldo G, Luz de Castro A, Araujo AS, Belló-Klein A. The progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension induced by monocrotaline is characterized by lung nitrosative and oxidative stress, and impaired pulmonary artery reactivity. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 891:173699. [PMID: 33160936 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The time-course of pulmonary arterial hypertension in the monocrotaline (MCT) model was investigated. Male rats were divided into two groups: MCT (received a 60 mg/kg i.p. injection) and control (received saline). The MCT and control groups were further divided into three cohorts, based on the follow-up interval: 1, 2, and 3 weeks. Right ventricle (RV) catheterization was performed and RV hypertrophy (RVH) was estimated. The lungs were used for biochemical, histological, molecular, and immunohistochemical analysis, while pulmonary artery rings were used for vascular reactivity. MCT promoted lung perivascular edema, inflammatory cells exudation, greater neutrophils and lymphocytes profile, and arteriolar wall thickness, compared to CTR group. Increases in pulmonary artery pressure and in RVH were observed in the MCT 2- and 3-week groups. The first week was marked by the presence of nitrosative stress (50% moderate and 33% accentuated staining by nitrotyrosine). These alterations lead to an adaptation of NO production by NO synthase activity after 2 weeks. Oxidative stress was evident in the third week, probably by an imbalance between endothelin-1 receptors, resulting in extracellular matrix remodeling, endothelial dysfunction, and RVH. Also, it was found a reduced pulmonary arterial vasodilatory response to acetylcholine after 2 (55%) and 3 (45%) weeks in MCT groups. The relevance of this study is precisely to show that nitrosative and oxidative stress predominate in distinct time windows of the disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexsandra Zimmer
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Reactive Oxygen Species, Physiology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Rayane Brinck Teixeira
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Reactive Oxygen Species, Physiology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Rosalia Lempk Constantin
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Reactive Oxygen Species, Physiology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Cristina Campos-Carraro
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Reactive Oxygen Species, Physiology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | | | - Vanessa Duarte Ortiz
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Reactive Oxygen Species, Physiology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Luiza Donatti
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Reactive Oxygen Species, Physiology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Esteban Gonzalez
- Gene Therapy Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Alan Christhian Bahr
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Reactive Oxygen Species, Physiology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Visioli
- Faculty of Dentistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme Baldo
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Reactive Oxygen Species, Physiology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Gene Therapy Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Alexandre Luz de Castro
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Reactive Oxygen Species, Physiology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Alex Sander Araujo
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Reactive Oxygen Species, Physiology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Adriane Belló-Klein
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Reactive Oxygen Species, Physiology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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24
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Ulutas Z, Ermis N, Ozhan O, Parlakpinar H, Vardi N, Ates B, Colak C. The Protective Effects of Compound 21 and Valsartan in Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Injury in Rats. Cardiovasc Toxicol 2021; 21:17-28. [PMID: 32648158 DOI: 10.1007/s12012-020-09590-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the protective effects of Compound 21 (C21), the first specific non-peptide AT2 receptor agonist, on cardiac injury in rats with isoproterenol-induced heart failure in vivo and compared it with valsartan, an AT1 receptor antagonist. In this study, 56 Wistar albino male rats (estimated body weights 250-400 g) were divided into eight groups (n = 7). Group 1 (Control) received no drug. Group 2 (ISO) was given 180 mg/kg of isoproterenol subcutaneously (s.c.); two doses were administered at 24-h intervals on days 29 and 30 of the experiment. Groups 3, 4, and 5 were given valsartan (30 mg/kg orally), C21 (0.03 mg/kg intraperitoneally), and a combination of Valsartan + C21, respectively, for 30 days. Groups 6, 7, and 8 were administered Valsartan, C21, and Valsartan + C21 in the same application, duration, and dose, respectively, and isoproterenol (180 mg/kg s.c.) was given on days 29 and 30 of the experiment. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on the rats at the beginning and end of the experiment. Blood pressure, heart rate, and ECG alterations were monitored via a carotid artery cannula at the end of the experiment. Histopathological and biochemical measurements were performed on the cardiac tissue of the rats. For histopathological findings, C21 and Valsartan + C21 combination therapy significantly reduced the development of heart failure compared to valsartan alone. Also, the protective effect of C21 on myocardial injury was superior to that of valsartan. According to the results of echocardiographic and biochemical evaluations, C21, and Valsartan showed protective effects against heart failure. C21, valsartan, and combined therapy significantly prevented the decrease of ejection fraction. This report describes the cardioprotective effects of C21 and valsartan in ISO-induced myocardial damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Ulutas
- Department of Cardiology, Elazig State Hospital, 23100, Elazig, Turkey.
| | - Necip Ermis
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Onural Ozhan
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Hakan Parlakpinar
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Nigar Vardi
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Burhan Ates
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts, İnonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Cemil Colak
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
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25
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Correcting the imbalanced protective RAS in COVID-19 with angiotensin AT2-receptor agonists. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:2987-3006. [PMID: 33210709 DOI: 10.1042/cs20200922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that is responsible for the global corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic enters host cells via a mechanism that includes binding to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) 2 (ACE2). Membrane-bound ACE2 is depleted as a result of this entry mechanism. The consequence is that the protective renin-angiotensin system (RAS), of which ACE2 is an essential component, is compromised through lack of production of the protective peptides angiotensin-(1-7) and angiotensin-(1-9), and therefore decreased stimulation of Mas (receptor Mas) and angiotensin AT2-receptors (AT2Rs), while angiotensin AT1-receptors (AT1Rs) are overstimulated due to less degradation of angiotensin II (Ang II) by ACE2. The protective RAS has numerous beneficial actions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulative, anti-fibrotic effects along with endothelial and neural protection; opposite to the deleterious effects caused by heightened stimulation of angiotensin AT1R. Given that patients with severe COVID-19 exhibit an excessive immune response, endothelial dysfunction, increased clotting, thromboses and stroke, enhancing the activity of the protective RAS is likely beneficial. In this article, we discuss the evidence for a dysfunctional protective RAS in COVID and develop a rationale that the protective RAS imbalance in COVID-19 may be corrected by using AT2R agonists. We further review preclinical studies with AT2R agonists which suggest that AT2R stimulation may be therapeutically effective to treat COVID-19-induced disorders of various organ systems such as lung, vasculature, or the brain. Finally, we provide information on the design of a clinical trial in which patients with COVID-19 were treated with the AT2R agonist Compound 21 (C21). This trial has been completed, but results have not yet been reported.
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26
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Neurohormonal Modulation as a Therapeutic Target in Pulmonary Hypertension. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112521. [PMID: 33266371 PMCID: PMC7700466 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are involved in many cardiovascular disorders, including pulmonary hypertension (PH). The current review focuses on the role of the ANS and RAAS activation in PH and updated evidence of potential therapies targeting both systems in this condition, particularly in Groups 1 and 2. State of the art knowledge in preclinical and clinical use of pharmacologic drugs (beta-blockers, beta-three adrenoceptor agonists, or renin-angiotensin-aldosterone signaling drugs) and invasive procedures, such as pulmonary artery denervation, is provided.
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27
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Sharma N, Gaikwad AB. Ameliorative effect of AT2R and ACE2 activation on ischemic renal injury associated cardiac and hepatic dysfunction. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 80:103501. [PMID: 32979558 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study explored the role of the depressor arm of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on ischemic renal injury (IRI)-associated cardio-hepatic sequalae under non-diabetic (ND) and diabetes mellitus (DM) conditions. Firstly, rats were injected with Streptozotocin (55 mg/kg i.p.) to develop DM. ND and DM rats underwent Bilateral IRI followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Further, ND and DM rats were subjected to AT2R agonist-Compound 21 (C21) (0.3 mg/kg/day, i.p.) or ACE2 activator- Diminazene Aceturate (Dize), (5 mg/kg/day, p.o.) per se or its combination therapy. As results, IRI caused cardio-hepatic injuries via altered oxidant/anti-oxidant levels, elevated inflammatory events, and altered protein expressions of ACE, ACE2, Ang II, Ang-(1-7) and urinary AGT. However, concomitant therapy of AT2R agonist and ACE2 activator exerts a protective effect in IRI-associated cardio-hepatic dysfunction as evidenced by inhibited oxidative stress, downregulated inflammation, and enhanced cardio-hepatic depressor arm of RAS under ND and DM conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Sharma
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Anil Bhanudas Gaikwad
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, 333031, India.
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28
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Namsolleck P, Moll GN. Does activation of the protective Renin-Angiotensin System have therapeutic potential in COVID-19? Mol Med 2020; 26:80. [PMID: 32807075 PMCID: PMC7430134 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-020-00211-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection of lung cells by the corona virus results in a loss of the balance between, on the one hand, angiotensin II-mediated stimulation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor and, on the other hand, stimulation of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor and/or the Mas receptor. The unbalanced enhanced stimulation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor causes inflammation, edema and contributes to the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Here we hypothesize that stable, receptor-specific agonists of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor and of the Mas receptor are molecular medicines to treat COVID-19 patients. These agonists have therapeutic potential in the acute disease but in addition may reduce COVID-19-associated long-term pulmonary dysfunction and overall end-organ damage of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Namsolleck
- Lanthio Pharma, a MorphoSys AG company, Rozenburglaan 13B, 9727 DL, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gert N Moll
- Lanthio Pharma, a MorphoSys AG company, Rozenburglaan 13B, 9727 DL, Groningen, the Netherlands. .,Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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29
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Ye W, Guo H, Xu J, Cai S, He Y, Shui X, Huang S, Luo H, Lei W. Heart‑lung crosstalk in pulmonary arterial hypertension following myocardial infarction (Review). Int J Mol Med 2020; 46:913-924. [PMID: 32582962 PMCID: PMC7388838 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Left heart disease is the main cause of clinical pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Common types of left heart disease that result in PAH include heart failure, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and valvular disease. It is currently believed that mechanical pressure caused by high pulmonary venous pressure is the main cause of myocardial infarction (MI) in individuals with ischemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. In the presence of decreased cardiac function, vascular remodeling of pulmonary vessels in response to long-term stimulation by high pressure in turn leads to exacerbation of PAH. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms remain unclear. Elucidating the association between the development of MI and PAH may lead to a better understanding of potential risk factors and better disease treatment. In this article, the pathophysiological effects of multiple systems in individuals with MI and PAH were reviewed in order to provide a general perspective on various potential interactions between cardiomyocytes and pulmonary vascular cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Ye
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
| | - Haixu Guo
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
| | - Jinrong Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Internal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
| | - Shuyun Cai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
| | - Yuan He
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaorong Shui
- Laboratory of Vascular Surgery, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524000, P.R. China
| | - Shian Huang
- Cardiovascular Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
| | - Hui Luo
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory‑Zhanjiang, The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524000, P.R. China
| | - Wei Lei
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
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Gumashta J, Gumashta R. Role of the Backbenchers of the Renin-Angiotensin System ACE2 and AT2 Receptors in COVID-19: Lessons From SARS. Cureus 2020; 12:e8411. [PMID: 32626626 PMCID: PMC7331779 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.8411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronaviruses causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been shown to utilize angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the receptor for entry into the host cells. The involvement of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the evolution and pathogenesis of lung diseases has been implicated in recent years. The two enzymes of RAS, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2, serve a contrasting function. ACE helps in the formation of angiotensin II (AGII) from angiotensin I (AGI), and ACE2 cleaves AGI and AGII into AG (1-9) and AG (1-7) respectively. The ACE-induced AGII has vasoconstrictor and pro-inflammatory properties via AT1R, whereas ACE2 has been shown to protect against lung injury. The less spoken about AGII receptor, angiotensin receptor type 2 (AT2R), has anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in lung tissue and may be of significance in light of the lung pathology presentation in COVID-19. A review of articles searched in PubMed and peer-reviewed journals of importance was done using search terms “ACE2,” “AT2,” “SARS,” and COVID-19.” Lung involvement in both SARS and COVID-19 has been very severe and suggestive of severe inflammatory and immune reactions. Animal studies have shown that ACE2 and AT2 receptors counter the pro-inflammatory and other effects mediated by angiotensin II by their vasodilator, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-proliferative effects. They have been shown to protect against and revert acute lung injuries. The instrumental role of recombinant ACE2, AT2 receptor agonists, and AT1 receptor blockers may be helpful in the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotsna Gumashta
- Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, IND
| | - Raghvendra Gumashta
- Community Medicine, People's College of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, IND
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Assersen KB, Sumners C, Steckelings UM. The Renin-Angiotensin System in Hypertension, a Constantly Renewing Classic: Focus on the Angiotensin AT 2-Receptor. Can J Cardiol 2020; 36:683-693. [PMID: 32389341 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2020.02.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It is common knowledge that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), in particular angiotensin II acting through the angiotensin AT1-receptor (AT1R), is pivotal for the regulation of blood pressure (BP) and extracellular volume. More recent findings have revealed that the RAS is far more complex than initially thought and that it harbours additional mediators and receptors, which are able to counteract and thereby fine-tune AT1R-mediated actions. This review will focus on the angiotensin AT2-receptor (AT2R), which is one of the "counter-regulatory" receptors within the RAS. It will review and discuss data related to the role of the AT2R in regulation of BP and focus on the following 3 questions: Do peripheral AT2R have an impact on BP regulation, and, if so, does this effect become apparent only under certain conditions? Are central nervous system AT2R involved in regulation of BP, and, if so, which brain areas are involved and what are the mechanisms? Does dysfunction of AT2R contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension in preeclampsia?
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper B Assersen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Colin Sumners
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - U Muscha Steckelings
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
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González‐Tajuelo R, de la Fuente‐Fernández M, Morales‐Cano D, Muñoz‐Callejas A, González‐Sánchez E, Silván J, Serrador JM, Cadenas S, Barreira B, Espartero‐Santos M, Gamallo C, Vicente‐Rabaneda EF, Castañeda S, Pérez‐Vizcaíno F, Cogolludo Á, Jiménez‐Borreguero LJ, Urzainqui A. Spontaneous Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Systemic Sclerosis in P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand 1-Deficient Mice. Arthritis Rheumatol 2020; 72:477-487. [PMID: 31509349 PMCID: PMC7065124 DOI: 10.1002/art.41100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), one of the major complications of systemic sclerosis (SSc), is a rare disease with unknown etiopathogenesis and noncurative treatments. As mice deficient in P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) develop a spontaneous SSc-like syndrome, we undertook this study to analyze whether they develop PAH and to examine the molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS Doppler echocardiography was used to estimate pulmonary pressure, immunohistochemistry was used to assess vascular remodeling, and myography of dissected pulmonary artery rings was used to analyze vascular reactivity. Angiotensin II (Ang II) levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blotting was used to measure Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1 R), AT2 R, endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and phosphorylated eNOS expression in lung lysates. Flow cytometry allowed us to determine cytokine production by immune cells and NO production by endothelial cells. In all cases, there were 4-8 mice per experimental group. RESULTS PSGL-1-/- mice showed lung vessel wall remodeling and a reduced mean ± SD expression of pulmonary AT2 R (expression ratio [relative to β-actin] in female mice age >18 months: wild-type mice 0.799 ± 0.508 versus knockout mice 0.346 ± 0.229). With aging, female PSGL-1-/- mice had impaired up-regulation of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and developed lung vascular endothelial dysfunction coinciding with an increase in mean ± SEM pulmonary Ang II levels (wild-type 48.70 ± 5.13 pg/gm lung tissue versus knockout 78.02 ± 28.09 pg/gm lung tissue) and a decrease in eNOS phosphorylation, leading to reduced endothelial NO production. These events led to a reduction in the pulmonary artery acceleration time:ejection time ratio in 33% of aged female PSGL-1-/- mice, indicating pulmonary hypertension. Importantly, we found expanded populations of interferon-γ-producing PSGL-1-/- T cells and B cells and a reduced presence of regulatory T cells. CONCLUSION The absence of PSGL-1 induces a reduction in Treg cells, NO production, and ERα expression and causes an increase in Ang II in the lungs of female mice, favoring the development of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael González‐Tajuelo
- Fundación de Investigación Biomédica‐Hospital de la PrincesaIIS‐Princesa, Servicio de InmunlogíaMadridSpain
| | | | - Daniel Morales‐Cano
- University Complutense of Madrid School of Medicine and Ciber Enfermedades RespiratoriasMadridSpain
| | - Antonio Muñoz‐Callejas
- Fundación de Investigación Biomédica‐Hospital de la PrincesaIIS‐Princesa, Servicio de InmunlogíaMadridSpain
| | - Elena González‐Sánchez
- Fundación de Investigación Biomédica‐Hospital de la PrincesaIIS‐Princesa, Servicio de InmunlogíaMadridSpain
| | - Javier Silván
- Fundación de Investigación Biomédica‐Hospital de la PrincesaIIS‐Princesa, Servicio de InmunlogíaMadridSpain
| | - Juan Manuel Serrador
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO) and Instituto de Física Teórica CSIC/Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)MadridSpain
| | - Susana Cadenas
- Fundación de Investigación Biomédica‐Hospital de la PrincesaIIS‐Princesa, and CBMSO, CSIC‐UAMMadridSpain
| | - Bianca Barreira
- University Complutense of Madrid School of Medicine and Ciber Enfermedades RespiratoriasMadridSpain
| | - Marina Espartero‐Santos
- Fundación de Investigación Biomédica‐Hospital de la PrincesaIIS‐Princesa, Servicio de InmunlogíaMadridSpain
| | - Carlos Gamallo
- Fundación de Investigación Biomédica‐Hospital de la PrincesaIIS‐Princesa, Servicio de InmunlogíaMadridSpain
| | - Esther F. Vicente‐Rabaneda
- Fundación de Investigación Biomédica‐Hospital de la PrincesaIIS‐Princesa, Servicio de InmunlogíaMadridSpain
| | - Santos Castañeda
- Fundación de Investigación Biomédica‐Hospital de la PrincesaIIS‐Princesa, and Catedra UAM‐ROCHEMadridSpain
| | - Francisco Pérez‐Vizcaíno
- University Complutense of Madrid School of Medicine and Ciber Enfermedades RespiratoriasMadridSpain
| | - Ángel Cogolludo
- University Complutense of Madrid School of Medicine and Ciber Enfermedades RespiratoriasMadridSpain
| | | | - Ana Urzainqui
- Fundación de Investigación Biomédica‐Hospital de la PrincesaIIS‐Princesa, Servicio de InmunlogíaMadridSpain
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Abstract
The active hormone of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), angiotensin II (Ang II), is involved in several human diseases, driving the development and clinical use of several therapeutic drugs, mostly angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor type I (AT1R) antagonists. However, angiotensin peptides can also bind to receptors different from AT1R, in particular, angiotensin receptor type II (AT2R), resulting in biological and physiological effects different, and sometimes antagonistic, of their binding to AT1R. In the present Perspective, the components of the RAS and the therapeutic tools developed to control it will be reviewed. In particular, the characteristics of AT2R and tools to modulate its functions will be discussed. Agonists or antagonists to AT2R are potential therapeutics in cardiovascular diseases, for agonists, and in the control of pain, for antagonists, respectively. However, controlling their binding properties and their targeting to the target tissues must be optimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucienne Juillerat-Jeanneret
- Transplantation Center, Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Chemin des Boveresses 155, CH1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Morphological and Functional Characteristics of Animal Models of Myocardial Fibrosis Induced by Pressure Overload. Int J Hypertens 2020; 2020:3014693. [PMID: 32099670 PMCID: PMC7013318 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3014693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of myocardial interstitial collagen, abnormal distribution, and excessive proliferation of fibroblasts. According to the researches in recent years, myocardial fibrosis, as the pathological basis of various cardiovascular diseases, has been proven to be a core determinant in ventricular remodeling. Pressure load is one of the causes of myocardial fibrosis. In experimental models of pressure-overload-induced myocardial fibrosis, significant increase in left ventricular parameters such as interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular posterior wall thickness and the decrease of ejection fraction are some of the manifestations of cardiac damage. These morphological and functional changes have a serious impact on the maintenance of physiological functions. Therefore, establishing a suitable myocardial fibrosis model is the basis of its pathogenesis research. This paper will discuss the methods of establishing myocardial fibrosis model and compare the advantages and disadvantages of the models in order to provide a strong basis for establishing a myocardial fibrosis model.
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Wang Y, Han L, Shen M, Jones ES, Spizzo I, Walton SL, Denton KM, Gaspari TA, Samuel CS, Widdop RE. Serelaxin and the AT 2 Receptor Agonist CGP42112 Evoked a Similar, Nonadditive, Cardiac Antifibrotic Effect in High Salt-Fed Mice That Were Refractory to Candesartan Cilexetil. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:76-87. [PMID: 32259090 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is involved in the majority of cardiovascular diseases and is a key contributor to end-organ dysfunction. In the current study, the antifibrotic effects of recombinant human relaxin-2 (serelaxin; RLX) and/or the AT2R agonist CGP42112 (CGP) were compared with those of the established AT1R antagonist, candesartan cilexetil (CAND), in a high salt-induced cardiac fibrosis model. High salt (HS; 5%) for 8 weeks did not increase systolic blood pressure in male FVB/N mice, but CAND treatment alone significantly reduced systolic blood pressure from HS-induced levels. HS significantly increased cardiac interstitial fibrosis, which was reduced by either RLX and/or CGP, which were not additive under the current experimental conditions, while CAND failed to reduce HS-induced cardiac fibrosis. The antifibrotic effects induced by RLX and/or CGP were associated with reduced myofibroblast differentiation. Additionally, all treatments inhibited the HS-induced elevation in tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1, together with trends for increased MMP-13 expression, that collectively would favor collagen degradation. Furthermore, these antifibrotic effects were associated with reduced cardiac inflammation. Collectively, these results highlight that either RXFP1 or AT2R stimulation represents novel therapeutic strategies to target fibrotic conditions, particularly in HS states that may be refractory to AT1R blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Lei Han
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Matthew Shen
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Emma S Jones
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Iresha Spizzo
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Sarah L Walton
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Kate M Denton
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Tracey A Gaspari
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
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Potential of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Modulations in Diabetic Kidney Disease: Old Players to New Hope! Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 179:31-71. [PMID: 32979084 DOI: 10.1007/112_2020_50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Due to a tragic increase in the incidences of diabetes globally, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has emerged as one of the leading causes of end-stage renal diseases (ESRD). Hyperglycaemia-mediated overactivation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is key to the development and progression of DKD. Consequently, RAAS inhibition by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is the first-line therapy for the clinical management of DKD. However, numerous clinical and preclinical evidences suggested that RAAS inhibition can only halt the progression of the DKD to a certain extent, and they are inadequate to cure DKD completely. Recent studies have improved understanding of the complexity of the RAAS. It consists of two counter-regulatory arms, the deleterious pressor arm (ACE/angiotensin II/AT1 receptor axis) and the beneficial depressor arm (ACE2/angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis). These advances have paved the way for the development of new therapies targeting the RAAS for better treatment of DKD. In this review, we aimed to summarise the involvement of the depressor arm of the RAAS in DKD. Moreover, in modern drug discovery and development, an advance approach is the bispecific therapeutics, targeting two independent signalling pathways. Here, we discuss available reports of these bispecific drugs involving the RAAS as well as propose potential treatments based on neurohormonal balance as credible therapeutic strategies for DKD.
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Lima VM, Lino CA, Senger N, de Oliveira Silva T, Fonseca RIB, Bader M, Santos RAS, Júnior JD, Barreto-Chaves MLM, Diniz GP. Angiotensin II type 2 receptor mediates high fat diet-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and hypercholesterolemia. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 498:110576. [PMID: 31520674 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.110576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is the major risk factor for several cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Previous studies reported that deletion of Angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) protects against metabolic dysfunctions induced by high fat (HF) diet. However, the role of AT2R in obesity-induced cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. Male AT2R knockout (AT2RKO) and wild type (AT2RWT) mice were fed with control or HF diet for 10 weeks. HF diet increased cardiac expression of AT2R in obese mice. Deletion of AT2R did not affect body weight gain, glucose intolerance and fat mass gain induced by HF feeding. However, loss of AT2R prevented HF diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and cardiac remodeling. Mechanistically, we found that pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of AT2R prevented leptin-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro. Collectively, our results suggest that AT2R is involved in obesity-induced cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M Lima
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caroline A Lino
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nathalia Senger
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Renata I B Fonseca
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michael Bader
- Max-Delbruck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robson A S Santos
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jose Donato Júnior
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriela P Diniz
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Zimmer A, Teixeira RB, Bonetto JHP, Bahr AC, Türck P, de Castro AL, Campos-Carraro C, Visioli F, Fernandes-Piedras TR, Casali KR, Scassola CMC, Baldo G, Araujo AS, Singal P, Belló-Klein A. Role of inflammation, oxidative stress, and autonomic nervous system activation during the development of right and left cardiac remodeling in experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension. Mol Cell Biochem 2019; 464:93-109. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-019-03652-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Sumners C, Peluso AA, Haugaard AH, Bertelsen JB, Steckelings UM. Anti-fibrotic mechanisms of angiotensin AT 2 -receptor stimulation. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2019; 227:e13280. [PMID: 30957953 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The angiotensin AT2 -receptor is a main receptor of the protective arm of the renin-angiotensin system. Understanding of this unconventional G-protein coupled receptor has significantly advanced during the past decade, largely because of the availability of a selective non-peptide AT2 -receptor agonist, which allowed the conduct of a multitude of studies in animal disease models. This article reviews such preclinical studies that in their entirety provide strong evidence for an anti-fibrotic effect mediated by activation of the AT2 -receptor. Prevention of the development of fibrosis by AT2 -receptor stimulation has been demonstrated in lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidney, pancreas and skin. In lungs, AT2 -receptor stimulation was even able to reverse existing fibrosis. The article further discusses intracellular signalling mechanisms mediating the AT2 -receptor-coupled anti-fibrotic effect, including activation of phosphatases and subsequent interference with pro-fibrotic signalling pathways, induction of matrix-metalloproteinases and hetero-dimerization with the AT1 -receptor, the TGF-βRII-receptor or the RXFP1-receptor for relaxin. Knowledge of the anti-fibrotic effects of the AT2 -receptor is of particular relevance because drugs targeting this receptor have entered clinical development for indications involving fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Sumners
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics University of Florida Gainesville Florida
| | - Antonio Augusto Peluso
- IMM ‐ Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research University of Southern Denmark Odense Denmark
| | - Andreas Houe Haugaard
- IMM ‐ Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research University of Southern Denmark Odense Denmark
| | - Jesper Bork Bertelsen
- IMM ‐ Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research University of Southern Denmark Odense Denmark
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40
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Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system is an important component of the cardiovascular system. Mounting evidence suggests that the metabolic products of angiotensin I and II - initially thought to be biologically inactive - have key roles in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology. This non-canonical axis of the renin-angiotensin system consists of angiotensin 1-7, angiotensin 1-9, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the type 2 angiotensin II receptor (AT2R), the proto-oncogene Mas receptor and the Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor member D. Each of these components has been shown to counteract the effects of the classical renin-angiotensin system. This counter-regulatory renin-angiotensin system has a central role in the pathogenesis and development of various cardiovascular diseases and, therefore, represents a potential therapeutic target. In this Review, we provide the latest insights into the complexity and interplay of the components of the non-canonical renin-angiotensin system, and discuss the function and therapeutic potential of targeting this system to treat cardiovascular disease.
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Wang D, Chai XQ, Magnussen CG, Zosky GR, Shu SH, Wei X, Hu SS. Renin-angiotensin-system, a potential pharmacological candidate, in acute respiratory distress syndrome during mechanical ventilation. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2019; 58:101833. [PMID: 31376462 PMCID: PMC7110665 DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2019.101833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
While effective treatments for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are lacking, mechanical lung ventilation can sustain adequate gas exchange in critically ill patients with respiratory failure due to ARDS. However, as a result of the phenomenon of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), there is an increasing need to seek beneficial pharmacological therapies for ARDS. Recent studies have suggested the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which consists of the ACE/Ang-II/AT1R axis and ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MasR axis, plays a dual role in the pathogenesis of ARDS and VILI. This review highlights the deleterious action of ACE/Ang-II/AT1R axis and the beneficial role of ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MasR axis, as well as AT2R, in VILI and ARDS, and also discusses the possibility of targeting RAS components with pharmacological interventions to improve outcomes in ARDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anhui Provincial Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Chai
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anhui Provincial Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Costan G Magnussen
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7001, Tasmania, Australia; Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Research, University of Turku, Turku, 20520, Finland
| | - Graeme R Zosky
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7001, Tasmania, Australia; School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7001, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Shu-Hua Shu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anhui Provincial Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Xin Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anhui Provincial Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Shan-Shan Hu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
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Santos RAS, Oudit GY, Verano-Braga T, Canta G, Steckelings UM, Bader M. The renin-angiotensin system: going beyond the classical paradigms. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2019; 316:H958-H970. [PMID: 30707614 PMCID: PMC7191626 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00723.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Thirty years ago, a novel axis of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was unveiled by the discovery of angiotensin-(1−7) [ANG-(1−7)] generation in vivo. Later, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was shown to be the main mediator of this reaction, and Mas was found to be the receptor for the heptapeptide. The functional analysis of this novel axis of the RAS that followed its discovery revealed numerous protective actions in particular for cardiovascular diseases. In parallel, similar protective actions were also described for one of the two receptors of ANG II, the ANG II type 2 receptor (AT2R), in contrast to the other, the ANG II type 1 receptor (AT1R), which mediates deleterious actions of this peptide, e.g., in the setting of cardiovascular disease. Very recently, another branch of the RAS was discovered, based on angiotensin peptides in which the amino-terminal aspartate was replaced by alanine, the alatensins. Ala-ANG-(1−7) or alamandine was shown to interact with Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor D, and the first functional data indicated that this peptide also exerts protective effects in the cardiovascular system. This review summarizes the presentations given at the International Union of Physiological Sciences Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2017, during the symposium entitled “The Renin-Angiotensin System: Going Beyond the Classical Paradigms,” in which the signaling and physiological actions of ANG-(1−7), ACE2, AT2R, and alatensins were reported (with a focus on noncentral nervous system-related tissues) and the therapeutic opportunities based on these findings were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robson Augusto Souza Santos
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Nanobiopharmaceutics, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais , Brazil
| | - Gavin Y Oudit
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada
| | - Thiago Verano-Braga
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Nanobiopharmaceutics, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais , Brazil
| | - Giovanni Canta
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Nanobiopharmaceutics, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais , Brazil
| | - Ulrike Muscha Steckelings
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular & Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Michael Bader
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine , Berlin , Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislaufforschung, Partner Site Berlin, Berlin , Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health , Berlin , Germany.,Charité-University Medicine, Berlin , Germany.,Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck , Lübeck , Germany
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Poisner A, Bass D, Fletcher A, Jain A, England JP, Davis MG, Arif D, Molteni A. Evidence for angiotensin mediation of the late histopathological effects of pulmonary fat embolism: Protection by losartan in a rat model. Exp Lung Res 2019; 44:361-367. [PMID: 30638089 DOI: 10.1080/01902148.2018.1552339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In a model of fat embolism using triolein-treated rats, we have reported that the acute pulmonary histopathological changes at 48 hrs were ameliorated by the angiotensin AT1 receptor blocker losartan, the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril, and the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren. Although much of the pathology had declined by 3 weeks, the changes persisted at 6 weeks. The purpose of the study was to extends the time course investigation to 10 weeks and to examines whether the fat embolism effects continue to be blocked by losartan when given at a late time period. MATERIALS AND METHODS Unanesthetized rats were challenged with i.v. triolein or saline. After 6 weeks, one group received saline or losartan i.p. and the losartan group also received losartan in the drinking water. At 10 weeks, the experiment was terminated. RESULTS Confirming previous results, the fat embolism group showed normal weight gain at 6 weeks without apparent distress and also appeared normal at 10 weeks. However, at 10 weeks the lungs showed inflammatory and fibrotic changes that were greater than those found at 6 weeks. These changes were reduced by losartan. CONCLUSIONS These findings show that the effects of fat embolism continue to progress to 10 weeks after the initial insult with triolein. The fact that the protective effects of losartan treatment started at 6 weeks supports the involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in late as well as early stages of the histopathological changes following fat embolism. It also supports the use of angiotensin blockade in clinical situations even long after an initial trauma where fat embolism is suspected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Poisner
- a 1 Department of Pharmacology , University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.,b Pharmacology , University of Kansas Medical Center , Kansas City , KS, USA
| | - Devin Bass
- c Pathology , University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine , Kansas City , MO, USA
| | - Amanda Fletcher
- d University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine , Kansas City , MO, United States
| | - Ashwin Jain
- d University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine , Kansas City , MO, United States
| | | | - Mariah Gawlik Davis
- d University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine , Kansas City , MO, United States
| | - Dauod Arif
- c Pathology , University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine , Kansas City , MO, USA
| | - Agostino Molteni
- e Pathology , University of Missouri Kansas City , Kansas City , MO, USA
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Viswanathan G, Mamazhakypov A, Schermuly RT, Rajagopal S. The Role of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in the Right Ventricle in Pulmonary Hypertension. Front Cardiovasc Med 2018; 5:179. [PMID: 30619886 PMCID: PMC6305072 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2018.00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pressure overload of the right ventricle (RV) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to RV remodeling and failure, an important determinant of outcome in patients with PAH. Several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are differentially regulated in the RV myocardium, contributing to the pathogenesis of RV adverse remodeling and dysfunction. Many pharmacological agents that target GPCRs have been demonstrated to result in beneficial effects on left ventricular (LV) failure, such as beta-adrenergic receptor and angiotensin receptor antagonists. However, the role of such drugs on RV remodeling and performance is not known at this time. Moreover, many of these same receptors are also expressed in the pulmonary vasculature, which could result in complex effects in PAH. This manuscript reviews the role of GPCRs in the RV remodeling and dysfunction and discusses activating and blocking GPCR signaling to potentially attenuate remodeling while promoting improvements of RV function in PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Viswanathan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Argen Mamazhakypov
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ralph T Schermuly
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sudarshan Rajagopal
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
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45
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Lange C, Sommerfeld M, Namsolleck P, Kintscher U, Unger T, Kaschina E. AT
2
R (Angiotensin AT2 Receptor) Agonist, Compound 21, Prevents Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression in the Rat. Hypertension 2018; 72:e20-e29. [DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.118.11168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Lange
- From the Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Germany (C.L., M.S., U.K., E.K.)
| | - Manuela Sommerfeld
- From the Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Germany (C.L., M.S., U.K., E.K.)
| | - Pawel Namsolleck
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (P.N., T.U.)
| | - Ulrich Kintscher
- From the Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Germany (C.L., M.S., U.K., E.K.)
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany (U.K.)
| | - Thomas Unger
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (P.N., T.U.)
| | - Elena Kaschina
- From the Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Germany (C.L., M.S., U.K., E.K.)
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46
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Gonzalez L, Novoa U, Moya J, Gabrielli L, Jalil JE, García L, Chiong M, Lavandero S, Ocaranza MP. Angiotensin-(1-9) reduces cardiovascular and renal inflammation in experimental renin-independent hypertension. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 156:357-370. [PMID: 30179588 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.08.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hypertension-induced cardiovascular and renal damage can be mediated by activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. There are different factors beyond renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system involved in hypertension and renal damage. Inflammation has emerged as an important mediator of hypertension and cardiovascular and kidney damage. Angiotensin-(1-9), a peptide of the renin-angiotensin system, counter-regulates both the physiological and pathological actions of angiotensin II. Recent data has shown that angiotensin-(1-9) protects the heart and blood vessels from adverse cardiovascular remodeling in experimental models of hypertension and/or heart failure and reduces cardiac fibrosis in stroke-prone, spontaneously hypertensive rats. These effects are mediated by the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R). However, it remains unknown whether angiotensin-(1-9) also has an anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, we investigate whether angiotensin-(1-9) reduces inflammation and fibrosis in the heart, arteries, and kidney in a DOCA-salt hypertensive model and explore the mechanisms underlying the amelioration of end-organ damage. DOCA-salt hypertensive rats received: a) vehicle, b) angiotensin-(1-9), c) PD123319 (AT2R blocker), d) angiotensin-(1-9) plus A779 (a Mas receptor blocker) or e) angiotensin-(1-9) plus PD123319, and sham rats were used as a control. Our results showed that angiotensin-(1-9) decreased hypertension and increased vasodilation in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. These actions were partially inhibited by PD123319. Moreover, angiotensin-(1-9) decreased diuresis, fibrosis, and inflammation. These beneficial effects were not mediated by Mas or AT2R blockers. We concluded that angiotensin-(1-9) protects against volume overload-induced hypertensive cardiovascular and kidney damage by decreasing inflammation in the heart, aortic wall, and kidney, through mechanisms independent of the Mas or AT2R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Gonzalez
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia, Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; Division Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Ulises Novoa
- Departmento de Ciencias Basicas Biomedicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Talca, Chile
| | - Jackeline Moya
- Division Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Luigi Gabrielli
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia, Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; Division Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Jorge E Jalil
- Division Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Lorena García
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS) & Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cancer (CEMC), Facultad Ciencias Quimicas y Farmaceuticas & Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile
| | - Mario Chiong
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS) & Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cancer (CEMC), Facultad Ciencias Quimicas y Farmaceuticas & Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile
| | - Sergio Lavandero
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS) & Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cancer (CEMC), Facultad Ciencias Quimicas y Farmaceuticas & Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - María Paz Ocaranza
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia, Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; Division Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile.
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Oakes JM, Fuchs RM, Gardner JD, Lazartigues E, Yue X. Nicotine and the renin-angiotensin system. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2018; 315:R895-R906. [PMID: 30088946 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00099.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is the single most important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases (CVPD). Although cigarette smoking has been in constant decline since the 1950s, the introduction of e-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems 10 yr ago has attracted former smokers as well as a new generation of consumers. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, and it is currently unclear whether e-cigarettes are "safer" than regular cigarettes or whether they have the potential to reverse the health benefits, notably on the cardiopulmonary system, acquired with the decline of tobacco smoking. Of great concern, nicotine inhalation devices are becoming popular among young adults and youths, emphasizing the need for awareness and further study of the potential cardiopulmonary risks of nicotine and associated products. This review focuses on the interaction between nicotine and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), one of the most important regulatory systems on autonomic, cardiovascular, and pulmonary functions in both health and disease. The literature presented in this review strongly suggests that nicotine alters the homeostasis of the RAS by upregulating the detrimental angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin (ANG)-II/ANG II type 1 receptor axis and downregulating the compensatory ACE2/ANG-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis, contributing to the development of CVPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Oakes
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Robert M Fuchs
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Jason D Gardner
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Eric Lazartigues
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Xinping Yue
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , New Orleans, Louisiana
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48
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Iyinikkel J, Murray F. GPCRs in pulmonary arterial hypertension: tipping the balance. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:3063-3079. [PMID: 29468655 PMCID: PMC6031878 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive, fatal disease characterised by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and excessive proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC). GPCRs, which are attractive pharmacological targets, are important regulators of pulmonary vascular tone and PASMC phenotype. PAH is associated with the altered expression and function of a number of GPCRs in the pulmonary circulation, which leads to the vasoconstriction and proliferation of PASMC and thereby contributes to the imbalance of pulmonary vascular tone associated with PAH; drugs targeting GPCRs are currently used clinically to treat PAH and extensive preclinical work supports the utility of a number of additional GPCRs. Here we review how GPCR expression and function changes with PAH and discuss why GPCRs continue to be relevant drug targets for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Iyinikkel
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and NutritionUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
| | - Fiona Murray
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and NutritionUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
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49
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Cha SA, Park BM, Kim SH. Angiotensin-(1-9) ameliorates pulmonary arterial hypertension via angiotensin type II receptor. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2018; 22:447-456. [PMID: 29962859 PMCID: PMC6019878 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2018.22.4.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin-(1-9) [Ang-(1-9)], generated from Ang I by Ang II converting enzyme 2, has been reported to have protective effects on cardiac and vascular remodeling. However, there is no report about the effect of Ang-(1-9) on pulmonary hypertension. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether Ang-(1-9) improves pulmonary vascular remodeling in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats. Sprague-Dawley rats received Ang-(1-9) (576 µg/kg/day) or saline via osmotic mini-pumps for 3 weeks. Three days after implantation of osmotic mini-pumps, 50 mg/kg MCT or vehicle were subcutaneously injected. MCT caused increases in right ventricular weight and systolic pressure, which were reduced by co-administration of Ang-(1-9). Ang-(1-9) also attenuated endothelial damage and medial hypertrophy of pulmonary arterioles as well as pulmonary fibrosis induced by MCT. The protective effects of Ang-(1-9) against pulmonary hypertension were inhibited by Ang type 2 receptor (AT2R) blocker, but not by Mas receptor blocker. Additionally, the levels of LDH and inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-1β, and IL-6, in plasma were lower in Ang-(1-9) co-treated MCT group than in vehicle-treated MCT group. Changes in expressions of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and -9 in the lung tissue of MCT rats were attenuated by the treatment with Ang-(1-9). These results indicate that Ang-(1-9) improves MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension by decreasing apoptosis and inflammatory reaction via AT2R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Ah Cha
- Department of Physiology, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea
| | - Byung Mun Park
- Department of Physiology, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea
| | - Suhn Hee Kim
- Department of Physiology, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea
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50
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Menk M, Graw JA, von Haefen C, Steinkraus H, Lachmann B, Spies CD, Schwaiberger D. Angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist Compound 21 attenuates pulmonary inflammation in a model of acute lung injury. J Inflamm Res 2018; 11:169-178. [PMID: 29750051 PMCID: PMC5935084 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s160573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Although the role of the angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor in acute lung injury is not yet completely understood, a protective role of this receptor subtype has been suggested. We hypothesized that, in a rodent model of acute lung injury, stimulation of the AT2 receptor with the direct agonist Compound 21 (C21) might have a beneficial effect on pulmonary inflammation and might improve pulmonary gas exchange. Materials and methods Male adult rats were divided into a treatment group that received pulmonary lavage followed by mechanical ventilation (LAV, n=9), a group receiving pulmonary lavage, mechanical ventilation, and direct stimulation of the AT2 receptor with C21 (LAV+C21, n=9), and a control group that received mechanical ventilation only (control, n=9). Arterial blood gas analysis was performed every 30 min throughout the 240-min observation period. Lung tissue and plasma samples were obtained at 240 min after the start of mechanical ventilation. Protein content and surface activity of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were assessed and the wet/dry-weight ratio of lungs was determined. Transcriptional and translational regulation of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-4 was determined in lungs and in plasma. Results Pulmonary lavage led to a significant impairment of gas exchange, the formation of lung edema, and the induction of pulmonary inflammation. Protein content of lavage fluid was increased and contained washed-out surfactant. Direct AT2 receptor stimulation with C21 led to a significant inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-6 expressions in the lungs, whereas the expressions of IL-1, IL-10, and IL-4 remained unchanged. During the 240-min observation period, AT2 receptor stimulation did not improve pulmonary gas exchange or lung edema. Conclusion In this rodent model of acute lung injury after repeated pulmonary lavage, AT2 receptor stimulation attenuates pulmonary inflammation but does not improve gas exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Menk
- Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, FreieUniversität Berlin, Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany
| | - Jan Adriaan Graw
- Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, FreieUniversität Berlin, Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany
| | - Clarissa von Haefen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, FreieUniversität Berlin, Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany
| | - Hendrik Steinkraus
- Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, FreieUniversität Berlin, Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany
| | - Burkhard Lachmann
- Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, FreieUniversität Berlin, Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany
| | - Claudia D Spies
- Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, FreieUniversität Berlin, Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany
| | - David Schwaiberger
- Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, FreieUniversität Berlin, Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany
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