ACE inhibition and cardiometabolic risk factors, lung <i>ACE2</i> and <i>TMPRSS2</i> gene expression, and plasma ACE2 levels: a Mendelian randomization study.

ABSTRACT: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and serine protease TMPRSS2 have been implicated in cell entry for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the lung epithelium might have implications for the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity of COVID-19. We use human genetic variants that proxy angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor drug effects and cardiovascular risk factors to investigate whether these exposures affect lung ACE2 and TMPRSS2 gene expression and circulating ACE2 levels. We observed no consistent evidence of an association of genetically predicted serum ACE levels with any of our outcomes. There was weak evidence for an

SUBMITTER: Gill D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7735342 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature