Fig. 1.

Illustration of the mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 mediates pathology. SARS-CoV-2 mediates pathology by interacting with ACE-2 thereby inhibiting its function on ANG II. The accumulation of ANG II results in a cascade of interactions that consequently leads to severe acute lung injury. ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; ACE-2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; ANG I, angiotensin I; ANG II, angiotensin II; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; S protein, spike protein; TMPRSS2, transmembrane protease serine 2 gene; AT1aR, angiotensin II type 1a receptor; AT2R, angiotensin II type 2 receptor