Chymase as a novel target for the prevention of vascular diseases.

In vascular tissues, chymase catalyzes the production of angiotensin II, which plays a crucial role in vascular diseases. Recent clinical studies and animal models of vascular proliferation and atherosclerosis have provided evidence that angiotensin II formed by chymase is involved in these processes. These observations suggest that chymase might promote the development of vascular proliferation and atherosclerosis. Chymase also activates matrix metalloproteinase 9, which promotes aortic aneurysm and angiogenesis, and thus chymase inhibitors might also prevent the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm and angiogenesis. We propose that chymase is a novel target for preventing vascular diseases.