ACE2 and acute respiratory distress syndrome: Moreover, as ACE2 expression in lung cells is lowered during SARS‐CoV‐1 infection and loss of ACE2 function has been shown to contribute to acute lung injury (ALI) (Imai, Kuba, & Penninger, 2008; Imai et al., 2005; Kuba et al., 2005; Kuba, Imai, Rao, Jiang, & Penninger, 2006), a reduction in ACE2 receptor expression may be a key mediator of COVID‐19 pathogenesis, featured as hyperinflammation and thrombosis.