Associations of polymorphisms of the ACE and ACE2 genes with clinical manifestations and cardiovascular complications of the coronavirus infection

A problem of the novel coronavirus infection pandemic is the absence of specific biomarkers, the determination of which would make it possible to assess the likelihood of a severe disease course, development of complications, immediate and long-term consequences, and effective etiotropic (antiviral) therapy. The severity of the novel coronavirus infection depends on various factors such as the initial state of health, immune status, age, smoking status, concomitant cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus. However, a severe disease course is also observed in patients without the aforementioned risk factors. The development of the disease and its complications depends on sex and geographical identity. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), associated by gene-gene interaction with ACE, plays a main role in the pathogenesis of the penetration of severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 coronavirus into the cell. The main body of information on this problem is represented by systematic meta-analyses and results of single-center cohort studies, which offer insufficient information to unequivocally assert the associations of ACE and ACE2 gene polymorphisms with pathological changes in the circulatory system during and after a new coronavirus infection. Differences in the incidence of ACE and ACE2 alleles may explain the differences between susceptible populations and/or response to the severe coronavirus infection. The above studies were carried out on the effect of the coronavirus in the initial period of the pandemic. For a more complete molecular genetic picture of the influence of polymorphism, persons with different strains of the coronavirus must be considered. In addition, no data are available regarding the expressions of ACE and ACE2 genes in response to a coronavirus infection. Moreover, the identification of the polymorphic variants of the genes of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and ACE2 associated with a high risk of developing and worsening cardiovascular diseases may be one of the promising areas for the early diagnosis and prevention of post-COVID-19 changes. Therefore, all scientific interest research is aimed at studying genetic factors, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms that affect susceptibility to infection, severity of the disease course, and development of circulatory system consequences. In general, polymorphic variants of ACE and ACE2 and their interaction will help us understand this problem and systematize knowledge for further research in this area.