ACE2 and Hypertension: In addition to At1r and At2r, we also analyzed the mRNA levels of Ace2 in arterial tissue as well as the circulating concentrations of the vasodilator peptide angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7) as the binding of AngII to AT1R is reported to reduce Ace2 expression/activation in the context of hypertension [71].