The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is crucially involved in the physiology and pathology of all organs in mammals. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is a homolog of ACE, acts as a negative regulator in the homeostasis of RAS. ACE2 has been proven to be the receptor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cells through binding of viral spike protein with ACE2 in humans, the distribution and expression level of ACE2 may be critical for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Growing evidence shows the implication of ACE2 in pathological progression in tissue injury and several chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease; this suggests that ACE2 is essential in the progression and clinical prognosis of COVID-19 as well. Therefore, we summarized the expression and activity of ACE2 under various conditions and regulators. We further discussed its potential implication in susceptibility to COVID-19 and its potential for being a therapeutic target in COVID-19.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, renin–angiotensin system, therapeutic target, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, pathology, ACE2, coronavirus, pandemic, SARS-COV-2 infection, susceptibility, progression, diabetes, hypertension, RAS, humans, receptor, distribution, chronic condition, expression, Critical, homeostasis, binding, Evidence, ACE, tissue injury, host cell, viral spike protein, Clinical prognosis, acute respiratory syndrome, expression level, enzyme, mammals, organ, homolog, caused, involved, condition, 【제목키워드】 target, Potential,