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Updated: Mar 26, 2026

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 inhibits lung injury induced by respiratory syncytial virus
Hongjing Gu1, Zhengde Xie2, Tieling Li3
1State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China.
Insights
Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) protects against severe lung injury from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. ACE2 deficiency worsens RSV disease, but recombinant ACE2 protein offers therapeutic potential for RSV lung injury.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe lower respiratory illness in infants.
- Mechanisms of RSV pathogenesis remain unclear.
- No specific treatments exist for RSV infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) in RSV-induced lung injury.
- Explore ACE2 as a potential therapeutic target for RSV disease.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an experimental mouse model of RSV infection.
- Analyzed pediatric patient data.
- Examined the role of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R).
- Administered recombinant ACE2 protein.
Main Results:
- ACE2 protected against severe lung injury in RSV-infected mice and pediatric patients.
- ACE2 deficiency exacerbated RSV-associated lung disease, mediated by AT1R.
- Recombinant ACE2 protein treatment reduced the severity of RSV-induced lung injury.
Conclusions:
- ACE2 plays a critical protective role in preventing RSV-induced lung injury.
- ACE2 represents a promising therapeutic target for managing RSV lung disease.
Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a major cause of severe lower respiratory illness in infants and young children, but the underlying mechanisms responsible for viral pathogenesis have not been fully elucidated. To date, no drugs or vaccines have been employed to improve clinical outcomes for RSV-infected patients. In this paper, we report that angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) protected against severe lung injury induced by RSV infection in an experimental mouse model and in pediatric patients. Moreover, ACE2 deficiency aggravated RSV-associated disease pathogenesis, mainly by its action on the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R). Furthermore, administration of a recombinant ACE2 protein alleviated the severity of RSV-induced lung injury. These findings demonstrate that ACE2 plays a critical role in preventing RSV-induced lung injury, and suggest that ACE2 is a promising potential therapeutic target in the management of RSV-induced lung disease.
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