06 April 2021 : Review article
Impact of Cardiovascular Diseases on COVID-19: A Systematic Review
Qingtai Cao1B*, HanYu Lei23E, MengLing Yang23B, Le Wei23A, YinMiao Dong2E, JiaHao Xu23F, Mi Nasser4C, MengQi Liu23F, Ping Zhu4G, LinYong Xu5G, MingYi Zhao2AGDOI: 10.12659/MSM.930032
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e930032
Figure 1 SARS-CoV-2 downregulates ACE2 to cause cardiovascular injuries. SARS-CoV-2 downregulates ACE2 by suppressing transcription of the ACE2 gene, cutting the extracellular segment of ACE2, and increasing internalization with ACE2, leading to increased Ang II expression and TACE activation, thus elevating the expression level of TNF-α and the risk of cardiovascular adverse events. The downregulation of ACE2 occurring in the heart, lung, hypothalamus, and kidney can all increase the load on the cardiovascular system.