[Role of angiotensin II-forming enzymes, angiotensin-converting enzyme and chymase].
Angiotensin (Ang) II plays a crucial role in regulation of blood pressure and proliferation of vascular tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated that the AngII-forming enzymes, ACE and chymase, are observed in heart and vascular tissues. In isolated human arteries, chymase predominantly converted Ang I to AngII rather than ACE. In hypertensive models, AngII formation by ACE in vascular tissues plays an important role in maintaining hypertension, while that by chymase hardly does. Chymase-dependent AngII formation induces vascular diseases such as neointima formation after balloon injury. AngII receptor antagonists block AngII formation by chymase in addition to ACE and may be useful for cardiovascular diseases rather than ACE inhibitors.
Takai
S
S
Department of Pharmacology, Osaka Medical College.
Miyazaki
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D053818:Chymases; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000502:physiology*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000502:physiology*
D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053818:Chymases