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Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences: CMLS logoLink to Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences: CMLS
. 2007 Jun 11;64(15):2006–2012. doi: 10.1007/s00018-007-6228-6

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Y Imai 1,, K Kuba 1, J M Penninger 1
PMCID: PMC7079778  PMID: 17558469

Abstract.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 are highly homologous metalloproteases that provide essential catalytic functions in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Angiotensin II is one key effector peptide of the RAS, inducing vasoconstriction and exerting multiple biological functions. ACE cleaves angiotensin I to generate angiotensin II, whereas ACE2 reduces angiotensin II levels. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated a physiological and pathological role of ACE2 in the cardiovascular systems. Intriguingly, the SARS coronavirus, the cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), utilizes ACE2 as an essential receptor for cell fusion and in vivo infections. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated that ACE2 protects murine lungs from acute lung injury as well as SARS-Spike protein-mediated lung injury, suggesting a dual role of ACE2 in SARS infections and protection from ARDS.

Keywords. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS), angiotensin, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), ACE, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

Footnotes

Received 18 May 2006; received after revision 12 March 2007; accepted 24 April 2007


Articles from Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences: CMLS are provided here courtesy of Springer

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