Altered kidney distribution and loss of ACE2 into the urine in acute kidney injury

Abstract

There are diverse pathophysiological mechanisms involved in acute kidney injury (AKI). Among them, overactivity of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) has been described. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a tissue RAS enzyme expressed in the apical border of proximal tubules. Given the important role of ACE2 in the metabolism of Angiotensin II this study was aimed to characterize kidney and urinary ACE2 in amouse model of AKI. Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) was induced in C57BL/6 mice by clamping of the left renal artery followed by removal of the right kidney. In kidneys harvested 48 hours after IRI, immunostaining revealed a striking maldistribution of ACE2 including spillage into the tubular lumen and presence of ACE2 positive luminal casts in the medulla. In cortical membranes ACE2 protein and enzymatic activity were both markedly reduced (37±4 vs. 100±6 ACE2/ß-Actin, P=0.0004 and 96±14 vs. 152±6 RFU/μg protein/h P=0.006). In urine, the full-length membrane bound ACE2 protein (100kD) was markedly increased (1120±405 vs. 100±46 ACE2/µg Crea, P=0.04) and casts stained for ACE2 were recovered in the urine sediment. In AKI caused by IRI there is a marked loss of ACE2 from the apical tubular border with deposition of ACE2 positive material in the medulla and increased urinary excretion of the full length-membrane bound ACE2 protein. The deficiency of tubular ACE2 in AKI suggests that provision of this enzyme could have therapeutic applications and that its excretion in the urine may also serve as a diagnostic marker of severe proximal tubular injury.