ACE2/Ang1-7 MAS AXIS: THE COUNTER-REGULATOR OF THE CLASSICAL RENIN ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM

To maintain homeostasis, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) works to regulate the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, and neurological systems of the body. However, there is evidence that abundant amounts of certain components of the RAS have detrimental effects and enhance disease. Recent studies have proved that there is a lesser known RAS which acts to counterbalance the classical RAS. To better understand their interaction, the effects of the alternate RAS against the classical RAS in the homeostatic systems of the body are researched and analyzed. The classical pathway employs these components: angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II (AngII), and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1); the alternate pathway involves: angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), angiotensin 1-7 (Ang1-7), and a Mas receptor. There is growing affirmation that the novel alternate pathway RAS can play a significant role in the advancement and progression of treatment for cardiovascular, renal, neurological and respiratory diseases. Its components possess the potential to serve as templates for the development of new drugs to mirror or enhance their interactions with the classical RAS when necessary