title: [Overexpression of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 inhibits inflammatory response of atherosclerotic plaques in hypercholesterolemic rabbits].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) efficiently hydrolyses the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II to vasodilative angiotensin (1-7). We hypothesized that ACE2 overexpression may inhibit inflammation response in atherosclerotic plaque by degrading Ang II into Ang-(1-7).
  
  
  METHODS
  Atherosclerosis (AS) plaques were induced in the abdominal aorta of 38 rabbits by endothelial injury and atherogenic diet for 3 months. Rabbits were then underwent injection of a recombinant adenovirus (2.5 x 10(9) pfu/ml) carrying a murine ACE2 gene (Ad-ACE2) through a catheter into the abdominal aortic segments rich in plaques (n = 19) or injection of a control vector Ad-EGFP (n = 19). One month later, all rabbits were sacrificed and plaques from aortic segments were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ACE2 expression in aortic tissues of the Ad-ACE2 group were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Macrophage infiltration (13.6% +/- 4.2% vs. 23.6% +/- 6.9%, P < 0.01) and MCP-1 expression (13.2% +/- 0.4% vs. 25.0% +/- 7.4%, P < 0.01) were significantly reduced in Ad-ACE2 group compared to Ad-EGFP group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overexpression of ACE2 inhibited atherosclerotic plaque inflammation response in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250021, China.
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Dong
authors: Yue-hui
authors: YH
authors: Zhang
authors: Qiu-li
authors: QL
authors: Dong
authors: Qing-tao
authors: QT
authors: Yu
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Zhu
authors: Shu-ying
authors: SY
authors: Li
authors: Ya-pei
authors: YP
authors: Yang
authors: Cheng
authors: C
authors: Zhang
authors: Jin-bo
authors: JB
authors: Feng
authors: Chun-xi
authors: CX
authors: Liu
authors: Huai-dong
authors: HD
authors: Song
authors: Chun-ming
authors: CM
authors: Pan
authors: Yun
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D011817:Rabbits; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2