6.3.1. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the SARS-CoV Host Receptor

Structure and Role of the Host SARS-CoV Receptor ACE2
SARS-CoV-2 needs ACE2 for entry. Host proteases such as human ACE2 help viral entry through removement of a barrier to enter human cells through unknown receptors. Human ACE2 is known for its role as the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor and the SARS-CoV receptor. The enzyme ACE-2 in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is associated with CoV entry into lungs. ACE2 mediates SARS-2002 entry into host cells via S glycoprotein interaction with the ACE2 receptor. The ACE2 levels on the plasma membrane correlate with virus infectivity. ACE2 expression is present in most tissues such as the lung epithelium. It is highly expressed by respiratory epithelial cells and type I/II lung alveolar epithelial cells [88]. The host receptor is not linked to the classification of CoVs. MERS-CoV, a β-CoV, does not recognize the ACE2 receptor. In contrast, the α-CoV HCoV-NL63 recognizes the ACE2 receptor. ACE2 is a membrane-anchored carboxypeptidase with 805 amino acid residues and is captopril-insensitive. It contains 17 amino acid residues as a signal peptide in the N-terminal region, a type I membrane-anchored domain in the C-terminal region, an extracellular N-terminal domain with heavy N-glycans, a N-terminal SARS-CoV-binding and carboxypeptidase site and a short C-terminal cytoplasmic tail. The ACE2 gene is located on chromosome Xp22. Two ACE2 forms are known, a membrane-bound form and a soluble form.
ACE cleaves angiotensin I (Ang I) substrate to Ang II. Ang II recognizes the Ang II receptor type 1 (AT1R), contributing to systemic and local vasoconstriction, fibrosis and salt retention in vascular organs. ACE2 has the opposite function of ACE. ACE2 is a close homolog to human ACE. ACE2 activity on Ang II is about 400-fold higher than that on Ang I. Ang-1 to Ang-7 recognize the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) Mas to activate vasorelaxation, cardioprotection, antioxidative action, antiinflammation and anti-Ang II-signaling. Therefore, the ACE2-Ang-1 to Ang-7 axis is a target candidate for cardiovascular diseases. ACE2 shows similar binding structures between nCoV and SARS-CoV. The three proteins of ACE, Ang II and AT1R contribute to progression of lung injury in humans. ACE2 removes a single amino acid residue from Ang II to yield the vasodilator, named Ang 1-Ang 7. ACE2 cleaves Ang-I to Ang 1–Ang 9 and Ang II to Ang-1 to Ang-7. The biggest difference between ACE2 and ACE is that ACE2 has a non-inhibitory property by ACE inhibitors.
Pulmonary ACE2 is potentially a candidate target in CoV-involved inflammatory pathogenesis. If ACE inhibitors and Ang II-AT1 blockers are dosed, ACE2 expression is increased. However, currently we have no conclusive evidence that the inhibitors help SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 entry. Rather, SARS-CoV infection reduces ACE2 expression. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 host tropism is not related to ACE2 expression. ACE2 levels and ANG II/ANG 1–7 levels regulate the pathogenic progression. ACE2 expression is upregulated by gene polymorphisms and ACE inhibitors or Angiotensin II receptor blockers such as sartans.

Host Cell ADAM17 and TMPRSS2 Competitively Cleave ACE2
A disintegrin and metallopeptidase domain (ADAM) family of Zn-metalloproteinases belongs to membrane proteins. The well-known ADAM17 is a TNF-α-converting enzyme (TACE), called the sheddase for TNF-α. Other ADAM sheddase family members include ADAM9, ADAM10 and ADAM12. ADAM17 mediates ACE2 shedding. SARS-CoV S glycoprotein activates cellular TACE and consequently facilitates virus entry. Soluble ACE2 as the N-terminal carboxypeptidase domain form is derived from the original ACE2 form by an ADAM17 metalloprotease in the membrane [89]. ADAM17 is indeed an enzyme that can convert membrane type pro-TNF-α to soluble TNF-α, a functional proinflammatory cytokine. Therefore, ADAM17 inhibition indicates an anti-inflammatory response and ADAM17 inhibitors are promising candidates for TNF-α-induced inflammatory diseases. The short C-terminal domain of ACE2 is removed by ADAM17 and TMPRSS2. However, TMPRSS2 cleaves ACE2 competitively with the ADAM17 metalloprotease. SARS-S protein-ACE2 binding leads to ADAM17/TNF-α-converting enzyme (TACE)-cleavage of ACE2, facilitating extracellular ACE2 shedding and consequent SARS-CoV entry into host cells [90,91]. Only TMPRSS2 cleavage allows SARS-CoV entry into host cells through endocytosis and fusion. Soluble ACE2 also recognizes the virus and prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection requires membrane ACE2 and TMPRSS2. The ACE2–B0AT1 complex binds to the S glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. Intestinal membrane ACE2 and lung TMPRSS2-shedded ACE2 can act as alternative entry sites for SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 infects the lungs and intestine via TMPRSS2-cleaved ACE2. If TMPRSS2 is engaged in SARS-CoV-2 entry and ACE2 downregulation, TMPRSS2 inhibition would lead to COVID-19 prevention. Although ACE2 is expressed both in type I and type II lung alveolar epithelial cells, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 target only type II epithelial cells due to the ACE2–TMPRSS2 interaction. Therefore, supplementation of ACE2 (soluble ACE2) or Ang-1 to Ang-7 should be a way to reduce SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms.
TMPRSS2-cleaved ACE2 is involved in SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infections. SARS-CoV-2 uses ACE2 for cell entry through TMPRSS2 priming of the S glycoprotein (Figure 7). Infection of the H7N9 influenza and H1N1 influenza A subtype viruses are also mediated by TMPRSS2-cleaved ACE2. This implies that TMPRSS2 can be targeted as a strategic antiviral therapy [92]. Transmembrane protease serine 2, termed TMPRSS2, a type II TM Ser protease (TTSP), also cleaves ACE2. The human TMPRSS2 gene, located on chromosome 21, comprises androgen receptor elements (AREs) in the upstream 5′-flanking region [93]. TMPRSS2 expression is regulated in an androgen-dependent manner. The TMPRSS2 gene encodes 492 amino acids. The original form is cleaved into the major membrane form and the minor soluble form. TMPRSS2 activates protease activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) and activated PAR-2 upregulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9. TMPRSS2-activated hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induces c-Met receptor signaling. TMPRSS2 activates SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. The SARS-CoV S glycoprotein is cleaved by host-borne TMPRSS2, human airway trypsin-like protease (HAT), TM protease, serine 13 (MSPL), serine protease DESC1 (DESC1), furin, factor Xa and endosomal cathepsin L/B. SARS-CoV can enter cells upon cleavage by protease TMPRSS2 or endosomal cathepsin L/B [90]. Virus S protein precursor is cleaved by host proteases. The spikes are cleaved by endosomal cathepsin and by Golgi or plasma membrane TMPRSS2 in the step of assembly or attachment and release. The serine protease inhibitor camostat effectively blocks lethal SARS-CoV infection to mice. However, serine protease and cathepsin inhibitors are not effective. Thus, TMPRSS2 is suggested to be an acting protease for SARS-CoV entry into host cells, but not by cathepsin. Cis-cleavage liberates SARS-CoV S glycoprotein fragments into the extracellular supernatant. Trans-cleavage activates the SARS-CoV S glycoprotein on the target cells, potentiating efficient SARS-CoV S glycoprotein-driven viral fusion. TMPRSS2-activated SARS-CoV facilitates enveloped virus entry into cells. TMPRSS2 is important for SARS-CoV entry and infection [81,94,95,96].
The fact that SARS- and MERS-CoV infections are potentiated by TMPRSS2 indicates that TMPRSS2 is a promising target for therapeutic agents. For example, several Ser protease inhibitors such as camostat mesylate inhibit TMPRSS2–ACE2-involved SARS-CoV-2 entry. camostat, a serine protease inhibitor, reduces influenza virus titers in cell culture. camostat-treated TMPRSS2 inhibition in Calu-3 cells greatly reduces SARS-CoV viral titers and improves survival rate in SARS-CoV infected mice. A treatment of 10-μM camostat blocks MERS-CoV entry to African green monkey kidney (Vero)-TMPRSS2 cells and blocks viral RNA synthesis in Calu-3 cells upon MERS-CoV infection. Aprotinin is a polypeptide with 58 amino acid residues that was isolated from bovine lungs. Another serine protease inhibitor, nafamostat, inhibits MERS-CoV entry and infection by TMPRSS2 inhibition [93]. nafamostat mesylate blocks the TMPRSS2–ACE2-involved SARS-CoV-2 envelope–PM fusion and prevents SARS-CoV-2 entry [95]. nafamostat mesylate inhibits viral entry and thrombosis in COVID-19 patients. Similarly, an FDA-approved mucolytic cough suppressant, Bromhexine hydrochloride (BHH), inhibits TMPRSS2 (IC50 0.75 μM) and hence blocks infection of CoV and influenza virus. MPRSS2 as a host factor plays a pivotal role in SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infections. FDA-approved TMPRSS2 inhibitors are yet under development. Because TMPRSS2 mediates efficient viral entry and replication, it should be a promising target for new therapeutics against CoV infection.