Abstract
COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), was first identified in China in late 2019 and since then, this disease has become a pandemic affecting many countries across the globe. Due to this outbreak, many researchers have been diligently investigating this disease for the establishment of better methods of its treatment and control. Evidence from research has led to a plethora of valuable but uncertain information on the modes of transmission of COVID-19 and the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 establishes infections in targeted tissues. It is now better understood that in this disease, SARS-CoV-2 gains entrance into cells by specifically binding ACE-2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2); ACE-2 serves as a potential receptor for the virus. The lungs, in addition to many other organs and tissues, express ACE-2 in varying degrees. Therefore, this review will examine the role of ACE-2 in COVID-19 and the secondary effects that COVID-19 has on organs that express ACE-2. To this end, it will assist in establishing the relationship between the ACE-2 receptor and SARS-CoV-2, bringing to the forefront the correlation between the symptomatology presentation, as well as the severity of infections experienced with COVID-19. Given this, it may even provide an avenue for the generation of treatment, or create a platform for the enhanced knowledge of this novel virus, and therefore, control, and maybe unravel the mystery for long term complications.
Highlights
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19
Much information has already been accumulated on COVID-19, this disease still place a great burden on healthcare facilities as the number of cases continue to rise in different countries around the world
Discoveries made on the mode of infection of the SARSCoV-2 virus, have led to a promising future for the management and control of COVID-19
Summary
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19. COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan China, Hubei in late 2019. In late August of 2020, 23,283,313 cases of the disease were reported worldwide and 806,231 deaths were recorded[2]. Research into the virus that causes COVID-19 led to significant discoveries including invaluable information on the mechanism by which the virus invades and infects the lungs and other tissues. These discoveries have led to increased attention towards an enzyme called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), an enzyme within the body that plays a vital role in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)[3,4]. It is reported that SARS-CoV-2 invades and infects lung tissue through the binding of ACE-2 in the lungs[5,6]. This action causes a reduction in the major inflammatory effects that are potentially mediated by Ang II and at the same time enhances the anti-inflammatory actions of Ang-(1-7)[7]
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