ACE2 ENZYME

Subject: Science & tech

Context: The human enzyme ACE2, which enables the novel coronavirus to infect the cell, is also key in protecting against cardiovascular, lung and kidney diseases. And, new research has found, it may be offering protection to women against Covid-19 disease.

Concept:

• The study of several thousand patients has revealed that men have higher concentrations of ACE2 in their blood than women.
• The study also found that heart failure patients taking a certain class of drugs (called RAAS inhibitors) did not have higher concentrations of ACE2 in their blood.
• Some recent research had suggested that Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS )inhibitors might increase ACE2 concentrations in blood plasma, thereby increasing the risk of Covid-19 for cardiovascular patients taking these drugs, but the new study indicates that this is not the case.

ACE2:

• ACE2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2), is an enzyme molecule that connects the inside of our cells to the outside via the cell membrane. ACE2 responds to the novel coronavirus and enables it to infect the human cell.
• High levels of ACE2 are present in the lungs and play a crucial role in the progression of lung disorders related to COVID-19.
• ACE2 is found primarily in lungs, it is also present in our heart, intestines, blood vessels and muscles.