Elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. (20th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lean, Fabian Z.X.; Priestnall, Simon L.; Vitores, Ana Gómez; Suárez-Bonnet, Alejandro; Brookes, Sharon M.; Núñez, Alejandro
• Is Part Of: Research in veterinary science. Volume 152(2022)
• Page Start: 564
• Page End: 568
• Publication Date: 2022-12-20
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy -- Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 -- Immunohistochemistry -- ACE2 -- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy -- RAAS -- Cat; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Médecine vétérinaire -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Diergeneeskunde; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.09.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-5288

Abstract

Abstract: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an enzyme within the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that plays a role in regulating blood pressure. However, it is also a cellular receptor for infection with SARS coronaviruses. Although most cats develop subclinical or mild disease following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) acquired from human patients, a previous study has suggested hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a potential risk factor for the development of severe disease in the cat. Herein we investigate the ACE2 protein expression in the lung, heart, and kidney from a small subset of cats with (n = 10) and without HCM (n = 10) by immunohistochemistry. The abundance and intensity of ACE2 expression is slightly elevated in alveoli ( p = 0.09; 0.07, respectively) and bronchioles ( p = 0.095; 0.37, respectively). However, statistically elevated abundance and intensity of ACE-2 expression was only evident in the heart of cats with HCM ( p = 0.032; p = 0.011, respectively). Further investigation did not demonstrate a statistical correlation between the ACE2 expression in the heart in relation to the heart weight to body weight ratio, and the ventricular wall ratio. Current findings suggest an overexpression of ACE2 in HCM cases but follow up study is warranted to understand the pathophysiological process. Highlights: A case study suggested HCM a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection in cats. ACE2 modulates blood pressure but also a receptor to mediate SARS coronavirus infection. This study compared levels of ACE2 expression in the lung, heart and kidney between healthy cats and those with HCM. ACE2 overexpression detected in HCM cats particularly in the heart. Further profiling of ACE2 expression in disease state warranted to understand infection risk in cats.