Cited by 111COVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesRenin-Angiotensin System StudiesSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research

COVID-19 pathophysiology may be driven by an imbalance in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

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Rysz, Susanne, Al-Saadi, Jonathan, Sjöström, Anna, Farm, Maria, Campoccia Jalde, Francesca, Plattén, Michael, Eriksson, Helen, Klein, Margareta +7 more·2021·Nature Communications

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Abstract

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 enters the cell through the ACE2 receptor, which is considered one of the main inhibitors in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS).1​ ,2 The virus has been shown to downregulate the ACE2 receptor, leading to a subsequent increase in the vasopressoragentangiotensinII.3​ Evidently,criticalcoronavirusdisease2019(COVID-19)is thought to be due to a dysregulated immune response, causing a cytokine-release syndrome eventually leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).4​ ,5 ​However, several reports on clinical laboratory features and case-descriptions of critically ill patients with COVID-19 show discrepancies compared to typical ARDS. Here, we show that infusing swines with angiotensin II induces a pathophysiological syndrome closely resembling that of patients with RT-PCR-positive COVID-19. By using multimodal clinical imaging of patients, comparing laboratory data and translational histological features, we show that it is highly likely that an increase in RAAS is one, if not the main, pathogenic feature in critical COVID-19. Furthermore, it is plausible that this large animal model can be used to screen for potential new treatments for patients with severe COVID-19 and that MRI lung perfusion can be used to evaluate the outcome of potential treatments targeting the pathophysiological syndrome.

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Authors
Rysz, S., Al-Saadi, J., Sjöström, A., Farm, M., Campoccia Jalde, F., Plattén, M., Eriksson, H., Klein, M., Vargas-Paris, R., Nyrén, S., Abdula, G., Ouellette, R., Granberg, T., Jonsson Fagerlund, M., & Lundberg, J.
Affiliations
Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
Corresponding author
Lundberg, Johan
Venue
Nature Communications
Published
2021-04-23
Volume
12
Issue
1
Pages
2417-2417
ISSN
2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3152933878
Cited by
111
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 3
FWCI
7.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Research Square (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Stockholm Region Clinical Post doc and ALF
  • Stockholm Region Clinical Post Doc, Tedde Jeansson Sr and, MedTechLabs.
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Renin-Angiotensin System Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, ACE2, angiotensin II, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary blood flow, coagulation, acute tubular necrosis, diffuse alveolar damage, angiotensin receptor blockers, low molecular weight heparin, porcine model, pathophysiology
MeSH terms
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Angiotensin II, Animals, Female, Humans, Lung, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Protein Binding, Renin-Angiotensin System, Retrospective Studies, Swine, Virus Internalization, Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists, Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus

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