Effect of a Stable Angiotensin‐(1–7) Analogue on Progenitor Cell Recruitment and Cardiovascular Function Post Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin‐(1–7) improves cardiac function and remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). This may involve recruitment of hematopoietic progenitor cells that support angiogenesis. However, angiotensin‐(1–7) is rapidly metabolized in plasma and tissue. The authors investigated in mice the effect of a metabolically stable angiotensin‐(1–7) analogue, cyclic angiotensin‐(1–7), on progenitor cell recruitment and on the heart post MI, when given in the angiogenesis phase of remodeling. METHODS AND RESULTS: Angiogenic progenitor cell recruitment was measured by using flow cytometry 24 and 72 hours after a daily bolus injection of cyclic angiotensin‐(1–7) in healthy C57BL/6 mice. Further, mice underwent MI or sham surgery and subsequently received saline or 2 different doses of cyclic angiotensin‐(1–7) for 3 or 9 weeks. Cyclic angiotensin‐(1–7) increased circulating hematopoietic progenitor cells at 24 hours but not 72 hours. Post MI, cyclic angiotensin‐(1–7) diminished cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and reduced myogenic tone, without altering cardiovascular function or cardiac histology at 9 weeks. Importantly, cyclic angiotensin‐(1–7)–treated mice had reduced cardiac capillary density at 3 weeks after MI but not after 9 weeks. Finally, cyclic angiotensin‐(1–7) decreased tube formation by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that cyclic angiotensin‐(1–7), when given early after MI, recruits progenitor cells but does not lead to improved angiogenesis, most likely because it simultaneously exerts antiangiogenic effect in adult endothelial cells. Apparently, optimal treatment with cyclic angiotensin‐(1–7) depends on the time point of onset of application after MI.