Fig. 1.

Scheme of main RAS pathway: angiotensinogen is cleaved by rennin to form angiotensin I, which is subsequently converted to Ang II by ACE. Ang II binds to Ang II receptors (AT1-R) and (AT2-R). Ang II can also be cleaved by ACE2 to form the vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory peptide angiotensin (1–7) that binds to its specific receptor (Mas-R) to exert its actions. ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme; ACE2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; APA, aminopeptidase A; cGMP, cyclic GMP; PGF2, prostaglandin F2; ROS, reactive oxygen species.