COVID-19, vaccines and deficiency of ACE2 and other angiotensinases. Closing the loop on the "Spike effect"

The spike effect of acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines on blood pressure

“…More recently, reports on safety of COVID-19 vaccines included a significant rise in BP following vaccination as potential adverse reaction [18] , [19] , [20] . In this context, some investigations argued a specific effect of COVID-19 vaccines on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) as mediated by the interaction between free floating Spike (S) proteins produced upon vaccination and angiotensin (Ang) converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors (the “Spike effect) [ 18 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Inhibition of the Cell Uptake of Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Pseudoviruses by N-Acetylcysteine Irrespective of the Oxidoreductive Environment

“…Therefore, the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 not only allows virus penetration into cells but also causes a deprivation of this protective mechanism. The reduced catalytic efficiency of ACE2 resulting from viral binding and the downregulation of this receptor appears to be detrimental in patients with a baseline deficiency of the ACE2 receptor activity, including patients with advanced age, cardiovascular risk factors, and previous cardiovascular events [ 7 ].…”

Knowing the new Omicron BA.2.75 variant (‘Centaurus’): A simulation study

“…It is not clear how mutations of this subvariant in the gene encoding for receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein of the virus can affect rate of infectivity. Of note, the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 docks to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2 ) receptors [1] , gains entry into cells and dysregulates the renin-angiotensin system leading to an Angiotensin II storm [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] .…”