Although the ACE2 regulation of gut homeostasis was considered to be RAS-independent, α-defensins expression has also been associated with atherosclerosis, being involved in the lipoprotein metabolism in the vessel wall and inhibiting fibrinolysis (Kougias et al., 2005; Nassar et al., 2007; Abdeen et al., 2021). This evidence concerns the gene ACE2 and atherosclerosis.