Recombinant ACE2- opportunities and challenges in COVID 19 treatment.
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV2) emerged from
Wuhan, China at the end of December and spread rapidly around the globe
with a higher degree of lethality reported than the endemic
coronaviruses. Angiotensin convertase enzyme 2 (ACE2) host cell
receptors mediate viral entry by binding to spike S protein of
SARS-CoV2. ACE2 binding in viral pathogenesis has opened newer avenues
for COVID-19 treatment with ACE2 at the center stage. Recombinant human
ACE2 (rhACE2) protein has already shown therapeutic potential for vast
array of therapeutic indications. In SARS-CoV2, the competitive binding
of viral S protein with circulating ACE2 causing virus neutralization
and sparing host ACE2 receptors is being proposed as the potential
therapeutic mechanism in COVID-19. Though rhACE2 has moved into clinical
trials in SARS-CoV2 patients, there are still some research gaps
including lack of sufficient data about the proven efficacy of rhACE2
from in vitro and in vivo studies.