Potential Roles of the Renin-Angiotensin System in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of COVID-19

Abstract

The spread of pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a global health emergency. Based on the symptomatic treatment and supporting therapy, prevention of complications is the major treatment option. Therefore, it is necessary to illustrate the potential mechanisms for the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the major receptor of SARS-CoV-2, is one of the major members of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In this review, we aimed to summarize the crucial roles of ACE2 in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, followed by illustrating potential treatment options relating to ACE2 and the RAS.