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Review
. 2020 Oct 30:7:588692.
doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.588692. eCollection 2020.

Small Resistance Artery Disease and ACE2 in Hypertension: A New Paradigm in the Context of COVID-19

Affiliations
Review

Small Resistance Artery Disease and ACE2 in Hypertension: A New Paradigm in the Context of COVID-19

María Galán et al. Front Cardiovasc Med. .

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease causes almost one third of deaths worldwide, and more than half are related to primary arterial hypertension (PAH). The occurrence of several deleterious events, such as hyperactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and oxidative and inflammatory stress, contributes to the development of small vessel disease in PAH. Small resistance arteries are found at various points through the arterial tree, act as the major site of vascular resistance, and actively regulate local tissue perfusion. Experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that alterations in small resistance artery properties are important features of PAH pathophysiology. Diseased small vessels in PAH show decreased lumens, thicker walls, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress and inflammation. These events may lead to altered blood flow supply to tissues and organs, and can increase the risk of thrombosis. Notably, PAH is prevalent among patients diagnosed with COVID-19, in whom evidence of small vessel disease leading to cardiovascular pathology is reported. The SARS-Cov2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, achieves cell entry through an S (spike) high-affinity protein binding to the catalytic domain of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a negative regulator of the RAS pathway. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the relationship between small resistance artery disease, ACE2, and PAH, to understand COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The scope of the present review is to briefly summarize available knowledge on the role of small resistance artery disease and ACE2 in PAH, and critically discuss their clinical relevance in the context of cardiovascular pathology associated to COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV2; angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; endothelial dysfunction; oxidative and inflammatory stress; primary arterial hypertension; renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system; small resistance arteries.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Potential role of SARS-CoV-2, responsible for COVID-19, in small resistance artery dysfunction and organ/tissue injury. The SARS-Cov2 virus infects endothelial cells from lung capillaries because it achieves cell entry through an S (spike) high-affinity protein binding to the catalytic domain of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The virus causes endothelial damage by increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines expression and excessive activation of coagulation pathways. Furthermore, the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with ACE2 compromises ACE2-induced degradation of angiotensin (Ang) II and reduces Ang-(1–7) levels, leading to renin–angiotensin system overstimulation. Altogether, these events may contribute to endothelial cell dysfunction and death, which can induce vascular leakage, pulmonary edema and parenchymal inflammation, hipoxemia and, ultimately, acute respiratory distress syndrome. Notably, in patients with COVID-19, peripheral manifestations of endothelial dysfunction occur in tissues distal from the primary infection site, probably because of the disruption of the pulmonary endothelial cell barrier that permits the virus to spread to distant target organs, and/or due to the secondary exaggerated inflammatory response (cytokine storm). This endothelial damage would cause small resistance artery dysfunction and alter blood flow supply to tissues and organs, increasing the risk of thrombosis and multi-organ failure. The presence of cardiovascular disease risk factors such as advanced age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity, which are associated with pre-existing endothelial dysfunction, may worsen the above-mentioned pathological mechanisms leading to poor outcome in COVID-19. IL, interleukins; CRP, C-reactive protein; G-CSF, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor; IP-10, interferon-γ inducible protein 10; MCP-1/CCL2, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; MIP-1α/CCL3, macrophage inflammatory protein 1-α; TNF- α, tumor necrosis factor-α.

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