[Regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-angiotensin (1-7)-Mas axis provides a new target for the treatment of cardiac remodeling and heart failure].

Cardiac remodeling is a common pathological manifestation of various end-stage cardiovascular diseases, which leads to myocardial diastolic and systolic dysfunction, low ejection fraction which cannot meet the needs of systemic tissue and organ metabolism, and ultimate progress into heart failure. Excessive activation of the classical renin angiotensin system (RAS), which is the angiotensin-converting enzyme-angiotensin II-type 1 angiotensin II receptor axis (ACE2-Ang II-AT1R axis), plays a key role in the pathological process of cardiac remodeling and heart failure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-angiotensin (1-7)-Mas axis [ACE2-Ang (1-7)-Mas axis] is an endogenous negative regulatory pathway of classical RAS, which can reduce its harmful effects. ACE2 is a monocarboxypeptidase that can hydrolyse Ang II and produce Ang (1-7), which has cardio-protective effects. Ang (1-7), via endogenous receptor Mas, plays the role of vasodilating, anti-proliferation and anti-differentiation, anti-fibrosis, anti-thrombosis and reversing myocardial remodeling. In recent years, with increasingly growing studies on the ACE2-Ang (1-7)-Mas axis, there are more understanding about their metabolic characteristics and mechanism of action. This article describes the role of ACE2 and Ang (1-7) in cardiac remodeling and heart failure and the related mechanisms, and discusses the potential benefits by regulating ACE2 activity and Ang (1-7) levels in clinical and experimental studies, hopefully providing potential therapeutic strategies.