Up-regulation of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor, in Asthmatics on Maintenance Inhaled Corticosteroids

Background: The first step in SARS-CoV-2 infection is binding of the virus to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the airway epithelium. Asthma affects over 300 million people world-wide, many of whom may encounter SARS-CoV-2. Epidemiologic data suggests that asthmatics who get infected may be at increased risk of more severe disease. Our objective was to assess whether maintenance inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), a major treatment for asthma, is associated with airway ACE2 expression in asthmatics.

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O'Beirne SL, Salit J, Kaner RJ, Crystal RG, Strulovici-Barel Y