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It is well known that the RAS (renin–angiotensin system) plays a key role in the modulation of many functions in the body. AngII (angiotensin II) acting on AT₁R (type 1 AngII receptor) has a central role in mediating most of the actions of the RAS. However, over the past 10 years, several studies have presented evidence for the existence of a new arm of the RAS, namely the ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) 2/Ang-(1–7) [angiotensin-(1–7)]/Mas axis. Ang-(1–7) can be produced from AngI or AngII via endo- or carboxy-peptidases respectively. ACE2 appears to play a central role in Ang-(1–7) formation. As described for AngII, Ang-(1–7) also has a broad range of effects in different organs and tissues which goes beyond its initially described cardiovascular and renal actions. Those effects are mediated by Mas and can counter-regulate most of the deleterious effects of AngII. The interaction Ang-(1–7)/Mas regulates …