ACE2 and viral infectious disease: Although the explanations for our findings are not yet well defined, some hypothesescan be considered, including direct viral infection, because ACE2 expression isabundant in the vascular endothelium, autopsy studies having indicated thatSARS-CoV-2 has a direct inflammatory effect(8), as well as causing endothelial damage associated with thepresence of intracellular viral particles and the occurrence of cell membraneruptures(12).