Figure 4. Systemic-level effects of critically imbalanced RAS and BK pathways.
The gene expression patterns from COVID BAL samples reveal a RAS that is skewed toward low levels of ACE that result in higher levels of Ang1-9 and BK. High levels of ACE normally present in the lungs are responsible for generating system-wide angiotensin-derived peptides. As detailed in Figure 2, the Bradykinin-Storm is likely to affect major organs that are regulated by angiotensin derivatives. These include altered electrolyte balance from affected kidney and heart tissue, arrhythmia in dysregulated cardiac tissue, neurological disruptions in the brain, myalgia in muscles and severe alterations in oxygen uptake in the lung itself. Red colors indicate upregulation and blue downregulation.