Cardiovascular disease is America's leading health problem, and the leading cause of death. One person in three suffers from some form of cardiovascular disease. There is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve the cardiovascular diseases outcome. Very recent studies have demonstrated that the heptapeptide Angiotensin(Ang)-(1-7) holds important cardiovascular beneficial effects. These actions are generally mediated by activation of the G protein-coupled receptor Mas. As a result of these novel findings, Ang-(1-7), in combination with Mas and Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2, the main enzyme involved in its formation, is thought to compose a cardioprotective branch within the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which balances the ACE/Ang II/AT₁ receptor effects. Consequently, new therapeutic approaches targeting the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis have been proposed.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the role of this axis on the cardiovascular system. We are particularly interested in articles describing advances in therapeutic approaches based on the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis to treat cardiovascular diseases. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Signaling pathways triggered by Mas activation
• New insights into the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis using animal models
• Innovative pharmacological therapies for cardiovascular diseases and pulmonary diseases based on the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis
• Gene therapy strategies using ACE2, Ang-(1-7) and Mas
• Inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis
• Brain, neurogenic hypertension, stroke, and ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis

Articles published in this special issue will not be subject to the journal's Article Processing Charges.

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