Autoantibodies to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in patients with connective tissue diseases.docVIP

Takahashi et al. Arthritis Research Therapy 2010, 12:R85 /content/12/3/R85 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Autoantibodies to angiotensin-converting enzyme Research article 2 in patients with connective tissue diseases Yuko Takahashi?1, Shiori Haga?2, Yukihito Ishizaka2 and Akio Mimori*1 Abstract Introduction: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2, a homolog of ACE, converts angiotensin (Ang) II into Ang(1-7), and the vasoprotective effects of Ang(1-7) have been documented. We explored the hypothesis that serum autoantibodies to ACE2 predispose patients with connective tissue diseases to