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The renin‐angiotensin system in cutaneous hypertrophic scar and keloid formation
Author(s) -
Hedayatyanfard Keshvad,
Haddadi NazgolSadat,
Ziai Seyed Ali,
Karim Hossein,
Niazi Feizollah,
Steckelings Ulrike Muscha,
Habibi Behnam,
Modarressi Ali,
Dehpour AhmadReza
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.14154
Subject(s) - angiotensin ii , angiotensin ii receptor type 1 , keloid , hypertrophic scar , fibrosis , angiogenesis , vascular endothelial growth factor , ctgf , endocrinology , receptor , renin–angiotensin system , medicine , extracellular matrix , wound healing , growth factor , connective tissue , angiotensin converting enzyme , cancer research , biology , pathology , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , blood pressure , vegf receptors
Hypertrophic scar and keloid are two types of fibroproliferative conditions that result from excessive extracellular matrix production. The underlying pathological mechanism is not entirely clear. Activation of the renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) is associated with fibrosis in various organs. RAS components including angiotensin II (Ang II), angiotensin AT 1 and AT 2 receptors, and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) are expressed in the skin and act independently from the plasma RAS. AT 1 receptors, which are usually the dominating receptor subtype, promote fibrosis and scar formation, while AT 2 receptors inhibit the aforementioned AT 1 receptor‐coupled effects. Elevated angiotensin II (Ang II) levels acting on the AT 1 receptor contribute to skin scar formation through increased expression of inflammatory factors such as interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibrinogenic factors such as transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), while at the same time suppressing the anti‐fibrotic tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMPs). First, small clinical trials have provided evidence that inhibition of the ACE/Ang II/ AT 1 receptor axis may be effective in the treatment of hypertrophic scars/keloids. This review provides a detailed overview of the current literature on the RAS in skin, wound healing and scar formation and discusses the translational potential of targeting this hormonal system for treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids.