ACE2 and hypertensive nephropathy: However, under hypertensive conditions, a single deletion of ACE2 or Mas gene significantly enhanced Ang II‐induced hypertension and hypertensive nephropathy, which was consistent with the known protective roles of ACE2 or Mas in attenuating the detrimental effects of hypertension and hypertensive kidney disease.9, 13, 30, 31, 32