| T199 |
155-1260 |
Sentence |
denotes |
ACE2 is a carboxypeptidase that converts angiotensin II into ANG (1–7), which is an essential component of the renin–angiotensin system.35 One of the main sites that ANG (1–7) is synthesized and has a downstream effect on is endothelial cells;36 it stimulates the release of prostaglandin and nitric oxide,37,38 enhances the metabolic actions of bradykinin, and inhibits smooth muscle cell growth.39 Additionally, ANG (1–7) enhances the vagal.40,41 It also induces a decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase expression, the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis, decreasing brain catecholaminergic activity; ANG (1–7) is neuroprotective.42 In recent rat models, central administration of ANG-(1–7) reduced neurological deficits and infarct size in ischemic stroke.43,44 Virus-mediated downregulation of ACE2 has been suggested to underlie the pathology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection.45,46 Therefore, binding of SARS-CoV-2 to the ACE2 receptor may similarly inhibit its downstream effect via pathway downregulation or cell lysis, ultimately decreasing ANG (1–7) synthesis. |
