Document Detail


ACE2 expression and activity are enhanced during pregnancy.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18945956     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
In the current study, we investigated the expression and activity of ACE2 during pregnancy in normotensive and hypertensive rats, focusing on the relative contribution of the uterus and the placentas, the kidney serving as a reference. We used the Sabra rat model of salt-sensitive hypertension. We confirmed a systemic vasodilatory state during the third trimester of pregnancy, as evidenced by a reduction in blood pressure, both in normotensive and hypertensive rats. At the time that blood pressure was reduced, ACE2 was expressed abundantly in the reproductive organs. The relative levels of ACE2 mRNA in the pregnant animal were placenta > kidneys > or = uterus and of ACE2 activity kidney > placenta > uterus. In the uterus and the placenta, ACE2 expression was unaffected by strain, salt-loading, or the level of blood pressure. ACE2 activity in the uterus of the nonpregnant rat was not affected by any of these variables either, but during pregnancy increased in salt-loaded animals. When estimating the total contribution of the uterus to ACE2 mRNA and activity during pregnancy, we found that the amount of ACE2 mRNA increased in both strains irrespective of diet, but that ACE2 activity increased only in salt-loaded animals. We further estimated the relative total contribution of the uterus, placentas, and kidneys to ACE2 expression and activity during pregnancy by adjusting for mass and number of organs and found that the placentas were the major contributors, followed by the kidney and the uterus. We conclude that during pregnancy, the placentas, in particular, but also the uterus, constitute important sources of ACE2, in addition to its normal production in the kidney, leading to an estimated twofold increase in total ACE2 activity. These data are consistent the hypothesis that transient ACE2 overexpression and increased activity during pregnancy may be important in modulating systemic, as well as local hemodynamics in the uteroplacental unit.
Authors:
Anat Levy; Yoram Yagil; Michael Bursztyn; Ronit Barkalifa; Shimon Scharf; Chana Yagil
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.     Date:  2008-10-22
Journal Detail:
Title:  American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology     Volume:  295     ISSN:  0363-6119     ISO Abbreviation:  Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.     Publication Date:  2008 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-12-10     Completed Date:  2009-01-22     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100901230     Medline TA:  Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  R1953-61     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Barzilai Medical Center Campus, Ashkelon 78306, Israel.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Blood Pressure
Disease Models, Animal
Female
Hypertension / enzymology*,  etiology,  physiopathology
Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / enzymology*,  etiology,  physiopathology
Kidney / enzymology*
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / blood,  genetics,  metabolism*
Placenta / enzymology*
Pregnancy
RNA, Messenger / metabolism
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains
Sodium Chloride, Dietary
Species Specificity
Time Factors
Up-Regulation
Uterus / enzymology*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/RNA, Messenger; 0/Sodium Chloride, Dietary; EC 3.4.15.1/Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; EC 3.4.17.-/angiotensin converting enzyme 2

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