Neprilysin controls the switch between hepatic vasoconstriction and fibrogenesis

Background: The Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) regulates portal hypertension and hepatic fibrogenesis. One component of the RAS is the zinc metalloproteinase Neprilysin (NEP), which cleaves Angiotensin I in Angiotensin 1 – 7, a counterplayer of AngiotensinII (AngII) and a vasodilator through stimulation of the MasR. On the other side NEP cleaves also Neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is a known cotransmitter of α1-adrenoceptor. In NEP-/- mice we investigated the development of portal hypertension, hepatic fibrosis and the hepatic expression levels of these vasoactive systems. Methods: In wild type (wt) and NEP-/- mice…