Enhanced expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme is associated with progression of coronary atherosclerosis in humans

Abstract

The strong association of enhanced ACE expression with the histologic characteristics of plaques suggests that ACE in hypercellular lesions, atheromatous plaques, and ruptured plaques contributes greatly to the further progression of atherosclerosis via an increase in vascular angiotensin II formation and inactivation of bradykinin.