title: Targets of chymase inhibitors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chymase converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II and it can also convert precursors of TGF-β and MMP-9 to their active forms. Therefore, diseases related to angiotensin II TGF-β, and MMP-9 could potentially be treated with chymase inhibitors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review discusses the appropriate targets and safety of chymase inhibitors. Six diseases with notable mortality or morbidity as targets of chymase inhibitors are focused on; abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), nephropathy and retinopathy, cardiomyopathy, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), organ fibrosis and intestinal diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If chymase inhibition proves to be a useful strategy for the attenuation of angiotensin II, TGF-β and MMP-9 in vivo, the application of chymase inhibitors is likely to become widespread in various diseases in the clinical setting. Chymase inhibitors are anticipated not to interfere with the homeostasis of resting tissues, that is, those not affected by injury or inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Osaka Medical College, Department of Pharmacology, Daigaku-machi 2-7, Takatsuki City, Osaka 569-8686, Japan. pha010@art.osaka-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takai
authors.forename: Denan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Mizuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D053818:Chymases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000804:Angiotensin II; D053818:Chymases; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9