ACE2 Inhibits Dermal Regeneration Through Ang II in Tissue Expansion

This study investigates the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in skin regeneration during tissue expansion, a technique used in reconstructive surgery. The research involved both rat and human samples, as well as in vitro experiments with keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Results showed that mechanical stress increases ACE2 expression, which is associated with dermal thinning. However, inhibiting ACE2 with MLN-4760 enhanced skin regeneration by increasing collagen I, collagen III, and TGF-β levels, suggesting that ACE2 plays a complex role in tissue expansion. These findings provide a basis for potentially using ACE2 modulation to improve tissue expansion outcomes in clinical settings.