Instruct: Identify the main category of Biorxiv papers based on the titles and abstracts
Query: Oral Lisinopril Raises Tissue Levels of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor, in Healthy Male and Female Mice Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the established cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2. However, it is unclear whether ACE1 inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril) or angiotensin receptor blockers (e.g., losartan) alter tissue ACE2 expression. This study sought to determine whether lisinopril or losartan, as monotherapies or in combination, change tissue levels of ACE2 in healthy male and female mice.

Mice received lisinopril (10 mg/kg/day), losartan (10 mg/kg/day), or both for 21 days via drinking water. A control group received water without drug. ACE2 protein index (ACE2 protein / total protein) was determined on small intestine, lung, kidney, and brain. Oral lisinopril increased ACE2 protein index across all tissues (p < 0.0001 vs control). In contrast, the combination of lisinopril plus losartan did not increase ACE2 levels in any tissue (p = 0.89 vs control) and even decreased tissue expression of the Ace2 gene (p < 0.001 vs control). Tissue ACE2 remained elevated in mice 21 days after cessation of lisinopril (p = 0.02). Across both cohorts, plasma ACE2 did not correlate with ACE2 protein index in any tissue. A sex difference was observed: kidney ACE2 levels were higher in males than females (p < 0.0001).

Oral lisinopril increases ACE2, the cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2, in tissues that are relevant to the transmission and pathogenesis of COVID-19. Remarkably, the addition of losartan prevented lisinopril-induced increases in ACE2 across tissues. These results suggest that ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers interact to determine tissue levels of ACE2.
18
The categories of this paper are: systems
12
The categories of this paper are: behavior
1
The categories of this paper are: bioinformatics
26
The categories of this paper are: biochemistry
25
The categories of this paper are: bioengineering
16
The categories of this paper are: microbiology
30
The categories of this paper are: scientific
29
The categories of this paper are: education
4
The categories of this paper are: neuroscience
13
The categories of this paper are: animal
3
The categories of this paper are: evolutionary
23
The categories of this paper are: immunology
6
The categories of this paper are: plant
7
The categories of this paper are: ecology
2
The categories of this paper are: biology
11
The categories of this paper are: cognition