Angiotensin receptors in Dupuytren's tissue: Implications for the pharnnacological treatment of Dupuytren's disease

Abstract

The role of Angiotensin II as a pro-fibrotic mediator has been established in models of cardiac, hepatic and renal fibrosis. The administration of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) – inhibitors to these models results in a reduction in the myofibroblast population and collagen synthesis. In rodent excisionat wound-healing experiments, an ACE inhibitor reduced the rate of wound contraction, collagen deposition and angiogenesis. Using immunohistochemistry, the presence of Angiotensin I receptors was identified within tissue samples from patients with Dupuytren's disease. These were found to be co-localised with areas of myofibrobtast expression. This co-localisation has implications for the potential of pharmacological regulation of Dupuytren's disease. Further research is necessary to confirm whether the use of ACE-inhibitors can modulate this disease process, which until now has not been responsive to safe, effective pharmacological treatment.

Embryonic Stem Cell-Like Population in Dupuytren’s Disease Expresses Components of the Renin-Angiotensin System

“…These focused on the myofibroblasts and yielded contradictory results. McKirdy et al 27 have demonstrated the presence of the ATIIR1 on the myofibroblasts, whereas Stephen 28 has found limited expression of ATIIR1 and a much wider distribution of ATIIR2. Rayan et al 29 show contraction in cultured DD myofibroblasts treated with ATII.…”

Effect of Enalapril on Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids

“…McKirdy et al [22] identified the presence of AT1 receptors using immunohistochemistry in Dupuytren's disease. They found that these receptors were colocalised with areas of myofibroblast expression, which has implications for the potential of pharmacological regulation using ACE-inhibitors to modulate contracture disease processes.…”