An estimated higher viral load and a possible greater drop of ACE2 in the obese after infection shift the balance of RAS to the pro-inflammatory axis of ACE/Angiotensin II/Angiotensin type 1 receptor, conducive to worse pulmonary vascular permeability, alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis, pulmonary inflammation, etc. 10. The gene discussed is ACE2; the disease is infection.