Is Sex a Determinant of COVID-19 Infection? Truth or Myth?

Overview

Journal Curr Hypertens Rep

Specialty Cardiology & Vascular Diseases

Date 2020 Aug 28

PMID 32852624

Citations 15

Authors

Leanne Groban

Hao Wang

Xuming Sun

Sarfaraz Ahmad

Carlos M Ferrario

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose Of Review: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a specific high-affinity angiotensin II-hydrolytic enzyme, is the vector that facilitates cellular entry of SARS-CoV-1 and the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2, which crossed species barriers to infect humans, is highly contagious and associated with high lethality due to multi-organ failure, mostly in older patients with other co-morbidities.

Recent Findings: Accumulating clinical evidence demonstrates that the intensity of the infection and its complications are more prominent in men. It has been postulated that potential functional modulation of ACE2 by estrogen may explain the sex difference in morbidity and mortality. We review here the evidence regarding the role of estrogenic hormones in ACE2 expression and regulation, with the intent of bringing to the forefront potential mechanisms that may explain sex differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 outcomes, assist in management of COVID-19, and uncover new therapeutic strategies.

Citing Articles

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