Reversal of renovascular hypertension by antibodies specific for angiotensin-converting enzyme.

Goat antibodies developed against pure rabbit pulmonary angiotensin-converting enzyme (peptidyl dipeptidase, EC 3.4.15.1) were administered intravenously to rats with two-kidney Goldblatt hypertension and to normotensive animals. In the hypertensive model these antibodies were associated with a sustained, immune-dependent decrease of blood pressure to normal values. A smaller, but also immune-specific, reduction of blood pressure was observed in the normotensive group. The data suggest that heterologous antibody directed against angiotensin-converting enzyme may provide a biologically specific probe for examining the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system to normal and pathologic circulatory states.