Fig. 2.

Abnormal apelin-ACE2 signaling and levels of ET-1, pro-inflammatory and fibrosis-related factors in post-MI HF rats, AKI and ACE2KO mice. (A−D) Heatmap analysis and the relative mRNA levels of ACE2, apelin, pro-inflammatory factors, oxidative stress- and fibrosis-related genes in the hearts between post-MI HF rats and sham group (A and B); and the kidneys between AKI mice and control group (C and D). n = 3–6. Heatmap analysis and the relative protein levels of renal pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines between ACE2KO and WT mice (E and F). n = 3. ^⁎P < 0.05, ^⁎⁎P < 0.01, ^⁎⁎⁎P < 0.001 versus sham or control or WT group.