title: The Anti-Inflammatory Potential of ACE2/Angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas Receptor Axis: Evidence from Basic and Clinical Research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The renin angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in inflammation and fibrosis. The classical axis of the RAS, formed by angiotensin converting en-zyme (ACE), angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1), activates several cell functions and molecular signaling pathways related to tissue injury, inflammation and fibrosis. In sharp contrast, the RAS axis composed by angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensin-(1-7) and Mas receptor exerts opposite effects in relation to inflammatory response and tissue fibrosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this review, we have the aim to summarize recent findings on the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrogenic role of ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis in the context of basic research, experimental human dis-eases and clinical studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several studies showed that ACE2/Angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas axis reduces cytokine release and inhibits signaling pathways of tissue fibrosis in experimental models of human diseases including atherosclerosis, cerebral ischemia, obesity, chronic kidney disease, liver diseases and asthma. On the other hand, very few data was provided by clinical studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Experimental studies clearly support the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of ACE2/ Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis. Clinical studies, especially phase III and IV trials, will be necessary to establish the therapeutic role of ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis in controlling inflammation in different human diseases.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago Ruiz
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Rodrigues Prestes
authors.affiliation: Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Brazil.
authors.forename: Natalia Pessoa
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Silva
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Brazil.
authors.forename: Antônio Lúcio
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, UFMG, Avenida Alfredo Balena, 190, 2nd floor, room # 281 Belo Horizonte, MG, Zip code: 30130-100. Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Simoes-E-Silva
mesh_terms: D000803:Angiotensin I / Q000378:metabolism*; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005355:Fibrosis; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism*; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D000803:Angiotensin I; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; C000705307:ACE2 protein, human; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; C118790:angiotensin I (1-7)
keywords: ACE2; Angiotensin-(1-7); Mas; angiotensin II; cytokine; fibrosis; inflammation; leukocyte