Small Resistance Artery Disease and ACE2 in Hypertension: A New Paradigm in the Context of COVID-19
- PMID: 33195477
- PMCID: PMC7661633
- DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.588692
Small Resistance Artery Disease and ACE2 in Hypertension: A New Paradigm in the Context of COVID-19
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease causes almost one third of deaths worldwide, and more than half are related to primary arterial hypertension (PAH). The occurrence of several deleterious events, such as hyperactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and oxidative and inflammatory stress, contributes to the development of small vessel disease in PAH. Small resistance arteries are found at various points through the arterial tree, act as the major site of vascular resistance, and actively regulate local tissue perfusion. Experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that alterations in small resistance artery properties are important features of PAH pathophysiology. Diseased small vessels in PAH show decreased lumens, thicker walls, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress and inflammation. These events may lead to altered blood flow supply to tissues and organs, and can increase the risk of thrombosis. Notably, PAH is prevalent among patients diagnosed with COVID-19, in whom evidence of small vessel disease leading to cardiovascular pathology is reported. The SARS-Cov2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, achieves cell entry through an S (spike) high-affinity protein binding to the catalytic domain of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a negative regulator of the RAS pathway. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the relationship between small resistance artery disease, ACE2, and PAH, to understand COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The scope of the present review is to briefly summarize available knowledge on the role of small resistance artery disease and ACE2 in PAH, and critically discuss their clinical relevance in the context of cardiovascular pathology associated to COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV2; angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; endothelial dysfunction; oxidative and inflammatory stress; primary arterial hypertension; renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system; small resistance arteries.
Copyright © 2020 Galán and Jiménez-Altayó.
Figures
Similar articles
-
Role of the Backbenchers of the Renin-Angiotensin System ACE2 and AT2 Receptors in COVID-19: Lessons From SARS.Cureus. 2020 Jun 2;12(6):e8411. doi: 10.7759/cureus.8411. Cureus. 2020. PMID: 32626626 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Potential Role of ACE2 in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Prevention and Management.J Transl Int Med. 2020 May 9;8(1):9-19. doi: 10.2478/jtim-2020-0003. eCollection 2020 Mar. J Transl Int Med. 2020. PMID: 32435607 Free PMC article.
-
ACE2 and the Homolog Collectrin in the Modulation of Nitric Oxide and Oxidative Stress in Blood Pressure Homeostasis and Vascular Injury.Antioxid Redox Signal. 2017 Apr 20;26(12):645-659. doi: 10.1089/ars.2016.6950. Epub 2017 Jan 12. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2017. PMID: 27889958 Review.
-
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activation ameliorates pulmonary endothelial dysfunction in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension through mediating phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.J Am Soc Hypertens. 2017 Dec;11(12):842-852. doi: 10.1016/j.jash.2017.10.009. Epub 2017 Oct 28. J Am Soc Hypertens. 2017. PMID: 29146157
-
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activation protects against pulmonary arterial hypertension through improving early endothelial function and mediating cytokines levels.Chin Med J (Engl). 2012 Apr;125(8):1381-8. Chin Med J (Engl). 2012. PMID: 22613639
Cited by
-
Feasibility of Precision Medicine in Hypertension Management-Scope and Technological Aspects.J Pers Med. 2022 Nov 7;12(11):1861. doi: 10.3390/jpm12111861. J Pers Med. 2022. PMID: 36573720 Free PMC article.
-
Association of COVID-19 and Arterial Stiffness Assessed using Cardiovascular Index (CAVI).Curr Hypertens Rev. 2024;20(1):44-51. doi: 10.2174/0115734021279173240110095037. Curr Hypertens Rev. 2024. PMID: 38258773 Free PMC article.
-
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Induces Degradation of Junctional Proteins That Maintain Endothelial Barrier Integrity.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021 Jun 11;8:687783. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.687783. eCollection 2021. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021. PMID: 34179146 Free PMC article.
-
Vascular Aging and COVID-19.Angiology. 2023 Apr;74(4):308-316. doi: 10.1177/00033197221121007. Epub 2022 Aug 28. Angiology. 2023. PMID: 36031949 Free PMC article. Review.
References
-
- Global Burden of Disease Risk Factor Collaborators . Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet. (2018) 392:1923–94. 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32225-6 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
Publication types
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Miscellaneous