ACE2 deficiency enhances angiotensin II-mediated aortic profilin-1 expression, inflammation and peroxynitrite production

PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e38502. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038502. Epub 2012 Jun 5.

Abstract

Inflammation and oxidative stress play a crucial role in angiotensin (Ang) II-mediated vascular injury. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has recently been identified as a specific Ang II-degrading enzyme but its role in vascular biology remains elusive. We hypothesized that loss of ACE2 would facilitate Ang II-mediated vascular inflammation and peroxynitrite production. 10-week wildtype (WT, Ace2(+/y)) and ACE2 knockout (ACE2KO, Ace2(-/y)) mice received with mini-osmotic pumps with Ang II (1.5 mg.kg⁻¹.d⁻¹) or saline for 2 weeks. Aortic ACE2 protein was obviously reduced in WT mice in response to Ang II related to increases in profilin-1 protein and plasma levels of Ang II and Ang-(1-7). Loss of ACE2 resulted in greater increases in Ang II-induced mRNA expressions of inflammatory cytokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 without affecting tumor necrosis factor-α in aortas of ACE2KO mice. Furthermore, ACE2 deficiency led to greater increases in Ang II-mediated profilin-1 expression, NADPH oxidase activity, and superoxide and peroxynitrite production in the aortas of ACE2KO mice associated with enhanced phosphorylated levels of Akt, p70S6 kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Interestingly, daily treatment with AT1 receptor blocker irbesartan (50 mg/kg) significantly prevented Ang II-mediated aortic profilin-1 expression, inflammation, and peroxynitrite production in WT mice with enhanced ACE2 levels and the suppression of the Akt-ERK-eNOS signaling pathways. Our findings reveal that ACE2 deficiency worsens Ang II-mediated aortic inflammation and peroxynitrite production associated with the augmentation of profilin-1 expression and the activation of the Akt-ERK-eNOS signaling, suggesting potential therapeutic approaches by enhancing ACE2 action for patients with vascular diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / pharmacology*
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Animals
  • Aorta / drug effects*
  • Aorta / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Chemokine CCL2 / metabolism
  • Ethidium / analogs & derivatives
  • Ethidium / metabolism
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / deficiency*
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / genetics
  • Peroxynitrous Acid / metabolism*
  • Profilins / genetics
  • Profilins / metabolism*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tyrosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Tyrosine / metabolism

Substances

  • Ccl2 protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-6
  • Profilins
  • dihydroethidium
  • Angiotensin II
  • Peroxynitrous Acid
  • 3-nitrotyrosine
  • Tyrosine
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
  • Ace2 protein, mouse
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Ethidium