While numerous authors contend that ACE2 is a fundamental contributor to the risk factors for severe COVID-19 (33, 34), an emerging body of literature argues that ACE2 upregulation serves as a protective factor for SARS-CoV-2 outcomes, primarily due to its role in counteracting the potent vasoconstrictive effect of angiotensin II (33, 35). Here, ACE2 is linked to COVID-19.