ACE2 downregulation in olfactory mucosa: Eosinophilic rhinosinusitis as COVID‐19 protective factor?

Keywords: ACE2; chronic rhinosinusitis; COVID-19; eosinophil; olfactory neuroepithelium; SARS-CoV-2; TMPRSS2 EN ACE2 chronic rhinosinusitis COVID-19 eosinophil olfactory neuroepithelium SARS-CoV-2 TMPRSS2 2904 2907 4 09/03/21 20210901 NES 210901 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study was partially sponsored by a research grant (FIS PI19/00806) from Instituto Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spain. (G) mRNA expression levels, as revealed by RT-PCR, of genes encoding for SARS-CoV-2 entry protein (ACE2 and TMPRSS2) in olfactory mucosa from CRSwNP patients and control cases. However, ACE2/TMPRSS2 expressions in the ONE from CRSwNP patients, that may be a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection of the olfactory bulbs and brain entry, remain to be investigated. [Extracted from the article]