These studies demonstrated that (a) CHI3L1 is a potent stimulator of ACE2 and SPP in pulmonary epithelial cells and vascular cells; (b) the expression of ACE2 and SPP are increased during murine aging and that these aging-induced inductive events are mediated by CHI3L1; and (c) interventions that alter CHI3L1 effector responses are also potent inhibitors of ACE2 and SPP and viral infection. This evidence concerns the gene HM13 and viral infectious disease.