Expression level of the angiotensin 2 (ACE2) gene in patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV2). The angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) can play a vital role in regulating the pathological changes of various diseases, including COVID-19. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of the ACE2 gene in Turkish COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: Eighty COVID-19 PCR test positive patients and 80 PCR test negative healthy volunteers were included in the study. RNA isolation was carried out from all samples. The RT-PCR device was used to analyze the expression of the ACE2 gene. Results: A significant difference was found in the age, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of the COVID-19 patients compared to the healthy volunteers. Based on the gene expression results, it was found that ACE2 gene expression was significantly higher in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy volunteers. In patients with COVID-19, a significant difference was found between the expression of the ACE2 gene and the levels of Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Hemoglobin (HGB), Hematocrit (HCT) and CRP. Conclusion: ACE2 gene expression was high in the COVID-19 patients and showed differences based on clinical data. Thus, the expression of ACE2 can have paradoxical effects that support the pathogenicity of SARSCoV2 but, conversely, limit viral infection. The availability of ACE2 receptors may increase the susceptibility and / or disease course of COVID-19.