ACE2 and Hypertension: A decrease in ACE2 expression has been reported in individuals with hypertension and diabetes (Li et al., 2020; Verdecchia et al., 2020) making them susceptible to increased inflammation via the angiotensin 2 pro-inflammatory pathway, while treatment with ACE inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) tends to increase ACE2 expression (Li et al., 2017).