Id |
Subject |
Object |
Predicate |
Lexical cue |
T4 |
0-128 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is related to ACE but turned out to counteract several pathophysiological actions of ACE. |
T5 |
129-217 |
Sentence |
denotes |
ACE2 exerts antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects and reduces lung inflammation. |
T6 |
218-340 |
Sentence |
denotes |
ACE2 is subjected to extensive transcriptional and post-transcriptional modulation by epigenetic mechanisms and microRNAs. |
T7 |
341-470 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Also, ACE2 expression is regulated post-translationally by glycosylation, phosphorylation, and shedding from the plasma membrane. |
T8 |
471-588 |
Sentence |
denotes |
ACE2 protein is ubiquitous across mammalian tissues, prominently in the cardiovascular system, kidney, and intestine. |
T9 |
589-877 |
Sentence |
denotes |
ACE2 expression in the respiratory tract is of particular interest, in light of the discovery that ACE2 serves as the initial cellular target of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronaviruses, including the recent SARS-CoV2, responsible of the COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). |
T10 |
878-1024 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an intense effort has been made to elucidate the biochemical determinants of SARS-CoV2-ACE2 interaction. |
T11 |
1025-1299 |
Sentence |
denotes |
It has been determined that SARS-CoV2 engages with ACE2 through its spike (S) protein, which consists of two subunits: S1, that mediates binding to the host receptor; S2, that induces fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane and delivery of the viral genome. |
T12 |
1300-1569 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Owing to the role of ACE2 in SARS-CoV2 pathogenicity, it has been speculated that medical conditions, i.e., hypertension, and/or drugs, i.e., ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, known to influence ACE2 density could alter the fate of SARS-CoV-2 infection. |
T13 |
1570-1714 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The debate is still open and will only be solved when results of properly designed experimental and clinical investigations will be made public. |
T14 |
1715-1841 |
Sentence |
denotes |
An interesting observation is, however that, upon infection, ACE2 activity is reduced either by downregulation or by shedding. |
T15 |
1842-1954 |
Sentence |
denotes |
These events might precipitate the so-called “cytokine storm” that characterizes the most severe COVID-19 forms. |
T16 |
1955-2064 |
Sentence |
denotes |
As evidence accumulates, ACE2 appears a druggable target in the attempt to limit virus entry and replication. |
T17 |
2065-2268 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Strategies aimed at blocking ACE2 with antibodies, small molecules or peptides, or at neutralizing the virus by competitive binding with exogenously administered ACE2, are currently under investigations. |
T18 |
2269-2499 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In this review, we will present an overview of the state-of-the-art knowledge on ACE2 biochemistry and pathophysiology, outlining open issues in the context of COVID-19 disease and potential experimental and clinical developments. |