Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Histol Histopathol. 2021 Nov;36(11):1125-1131. doi: 10.14670/HH-18-356. Epub 2021 Jun 18.
The brain has its own intrinsic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with all its components present in the central nervous system (CNS). Recent data demonstrate that also the main components of the angiotensin concerting enzyme 2 (ACE2) system (at least ACE2 itself, as well as the biologically active angiotensin (1-7) and its cognate receptor Mas) are expressed in the brain. Aside from these members, alamadine and MrgD are discussed as further members that have neuro-active roles in the CNS. Little is known about the possible functions of MrgD within the brain. Concerning angiotensin (1-7) acting through the Mas receptor, data were accumulating that this system is involved in numerous processes contributing to neuronal plasticity and even learning and memory. Malfunctions in the brain ACE2 system are associated with disturbances in neuronal plasticity. Since SARS-CoV-2 has a high affinity towards ACE2, Neuro-Covid may directly or indirectly depend on a disturbed balance in the ACE2 derived angiotensin system in the brain. Since the ACE2 system in the brain is far from being understood, a deeper understanding of e.g. the angiotensin (1-7) / Mas system is needed, especially with regard to the roles of angiotensin (1-7) in neuronal plasticity.
大脑具有自身内在的肾素-血管紧张素系统(RAS),其所有成分都存在于中枢神经系统(CNS)中。最近的数据表明,血管紧张素转换酶 2(ACE2)系统的主要成分(至少 ACE2 本身,以及具有生物活性的血管紧张素(1-7)和其同源受体 Mas)也在大脑中表达。除了这些成员外,alamadine 和 MrgD 被认为是在中枢神经系统中具有神经活性作用的进一步成员。关于 MrgD 在大脑中的可能功能知之甚少。关于血管紧张素(1-7)通过 Mas 受体发挥作用,越来越多的数据表明,该系统参与了许多有助于神经元可塑性甚至学习和记忆的过程。大脑 ACE2 系统的功能障碍与神经元可塑性的紊乱有关。由于 SARS-CoV-2 对 ACE2 具有高亲和力,因此神经科 COVID-19 可能直接或间接地依赖于大脑中 ACE2 衍生的血管紧张素系统的平衡紊乱。由于大脑中的 ACE2 系统还远未被理解,因此需要更深入地了解血管紧张素(1-7)/Mas 系统,特别是血管紧张素(1-7)在神经元可塑性中的作用。