Coronavirus Covid-19 uses ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme II), that is an essential regulator of heart function expressed in the heart, lung, kidney and gastrointestinal tract, but also acts a functional receptor for the spike glycoprotein (S)-it's the largest structure and makes the distinct spikes on the surface of the virus-of coronavirus to enter in the host's cells, because it's has high affinity binding with Covid-19.-The expression of ACE2 in adipose tissue (including subcutaneous and visceral) is significantly higher than that in lung, so Obesity was reported to increase vulnerability to infection.-In five types of cancer is also significantly higher the ACE2 expression that in the lung: CESC (Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma), PAAD (Pancreatic adenocarcinoma), READ (Rectum adenocarcinoma), KIRP (Kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma) and KIRC (Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma). There are many other conditions-like diabetes-that generate an high expression of ACE2 activity, like genetic predisposition, 'cause ACE2 on the X chromosome (Xp22). To be a smoker, exposed to high smog levels, to be a man or elder. Once the virus enters in host, it causes a downregulation of its binder ACE2, causing severe disorders in many districts where ACE2 could acts, especially cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure and cerebral/cognitive impairmentes

Written on Feb 2020 and uploaded on Academia.edu