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COVID-19 cellular pathogenesis in brief
Yuka Ikeda, Ai Tsuji, Mutsumi Murakami, Satoru Matsuda
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Kita-Uoya Nishimachi, Nara, Japan
| Date of Submission | 29-Apr-2020 |
| Date of Decision | 27-Jul-2020 |
| Date of Acceptance | 02-Sep-2020 |
| Date of Web Publication | 22-Dec-2021 |
Correspondence Address:
Satoru Matsuda
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Kita-Uoya Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506
Japan
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jrms.JRMS_471_20
How to cite this article:
Ikeda Y, Tsuji A, Murakami M, Matsuda S. COVID-19 cellular pathogenesis in brief. J Res Med Sci 2021;26:129 |
Dear Editor,
The most frequently used test for the diagnosis of COVID-19 is now reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) executed by using nasopharyngeal swab specimens. The sensitivity of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests has been described around 70%. The test could usually detect the virus 2 or 3 days before the onset of infectious symptoms. It should be toughly noted that the RT-PCR positivity does not mean an evidence of active and/or infectious virus. Vice versa, a negative result of the RT-PCR test does not exclude the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
In case the infection would be true, the SARS-CoV-2 virus simply enters the cells by attaching to the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), which is expressed on pneumocytes of the lower airways. While ACE converts angiotensin I (Ang I) to Ang II, ACE2 uses Ang II as a substrate and produces Ang (1–7). The Ang II is a vasoconstrictor that causes oxidative stress, producing increased reactive oxygen species. Therefore, elevated Ang II level causes higher blood pressure, insulin resistance, proteinuria, and so on. In addition, ACE is surely correlated with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Furthermore, overactivation of ACE aggravates amyloid-β-induced apoptosis and/or neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. On the other hand, the ACE2 is highly expressed in smokers and/or in patients with an underlying disease. As described below, several data have indicated the protective roles of the ACE2 pathway. Surface spike glycoprotein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 binds to the ACE2 [Figure 1], which has been proven to be protective in pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases and so on.[1] The Ang (1–7) exerts its effects through the Mas receptor in various tissues, including kidneys, heart, brain, and vasculature, which even protects against aneurysm rupture via the Mas receptor.[2] Amazingly, upregulation of internal ACE2 could attenuate the exacerbation of nephropathy and hypertension in diabetic mice.[3] In addition, stimulation of ACE2/Ang (1–7)/Mas ameliorates Alzheimer's disease.[4] It has been reported that the ACE2/Ang (1–7)/Mas activates AKT signaling to ameliorate oxidative stress, inflammation, and hepatic steatosis.[5] In general, the PI3K/AKT activation opposes the AT1-induced apoptosis. | Figure 1: Schematic illustration implying that angiotensin-converting enzyme-2/angiotensin (1–7)/Mas axis protects host tissues via the PI3K/AKT/NRF2/HO1 signaling from various diseases without COVID-19. When COVID-19 infection abolishes the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 axis, special dieting could substitute the protection by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling
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The PI3K/AKT pathway is thought to correlate with host protection and disease prognosis. If the SARS-CoV-2 virus destroys the ACE2/Ang (1–7)/Mas/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, a host protection system, it would be of significance to define appropriate strategies to achieve benefits to activate the PI3K/AKT pathway. As the efficiency of pharmacological and/or vaccinal treatments against COVID-19 has been imperfect at present, dietary choices could indicate a certain role in the host protection system via the PI3K/AKT activation. For example, dietary supplementation of fish oil attenuates lipopolysaccharideinduced inflammation as shown in previous studies. Lifestyle factors such as special diets could play certain roles against the severity of COVID-19.[6]
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Dhawale VS, Amara VR, Karpe PA, Malek V, Patel D, Tikoo K. Activation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) attenuates allergic airway inflammation in rat asthma model. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2016;306:17-26.  |
| 2. | Shimada K, Furukawa H, Wada K, Wei Y, Tada Y, Kuwabara A, et al. Angiotensin-(1-7) protects against the development of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in mice. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2015;35:1163-8. |
| 3. | Zhao S, Ghosh A, Lo CS, Chenier I, Scholey JW, Filep JG, et al. Nrf2 deficiency upregulates intrarenal angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 and angiotensin 1-7 receptor expression and attenuates hypertension and nephropathy in diabetic mice. Endocrinology 2018;159:836-52. |
| 4. | Kamel AS, Abdelkader NF, Abd El-Rahman SS, Emara M, Zaki HF, Khattab MM. Stimulation of ACE2/ANG (1-7)/mas axis by diminazene ameliorates Alzheimer's disease in the D-galactose-ovariectomized rat model: Role of PI3K/Akt pathway. Mol Neurobiol 2018;55:8188-202. |
| 5. | Cao X, Yang F, Shi T, Yuan M, Xin Z, Xie R, et al. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas axis activates Akt signaling to ameliorate hepatic steatosis. Sci Rep 2016;6:21592. |
| 6. | Matsuda S, Ikeda Y, Murakami M, Tsuji A. Save children from mortal shock of COVID-19. J Adv Med Med Res 2020;32:23-5. |
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