ACE2 and viral infectious disease: Emerging evidence suggests that COVID-19 is associated with endotheliitis, characterized by extensive endothelial cell damage and infiltration by inflammatory cells.7,8) This endothelial damage may result from direct viral infection, facilitated by the overexpression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the receptor through which SARS-CoV-2 gains entry into endothelial cells.