Bone biology and COVID-19 infection: Is ACE2 a potential influence factor?
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Updated: Nov 28, 2025

Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection in K18 hACE2 Transgenic Mice Using Reporter-Expressing Recombinant SARS-CoV-2
Published on: November 5, 2021
Huaqiang Tao1, Jiaxiang Bai1, Weicheng Zhang1
1Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
Abstract:
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a severe threat to global health management system since it has been detected in the human body. This pandemic was prompted by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and rapidly developed into a public emergency with an alarming increase in cases and deaths. The increasing explorations to SARS-CoV-2 infection guide us to consider whether bone lesion is followed by this pathologic process. We especially focus on the underlying pathobiology that SARS-CoV-2 possibly mediated in bone remodeling and analyze the association of bone destruction with ACE2 in COVID-19 incidence, for preferable understanding the pathogenesis and providing necessary clinical management in orthopedics.
Insights
This study investigates if severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes bone lesions. It explores the virus
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedics
- Pathobiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents a significant global health challenge.
- Emerging research suggests potential links between SARS-CoV-2 infection and bone pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for bone lesions following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To explore the pathobiology of how SARS-CoV-2 may affect bone remodeling.
- To analyze the association between bone destruction and ACE2 in COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and bone remodeling.
- Analysis of the role of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) in viral infection and bone metabolism.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 may influence bone remodeling processes.
- ACE2 receptors are implicated in both viral entry and potential bone destruction.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the link between COVID-19 and bone lesions is crucial for orthopedic clinical management.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-induced bone pathology.
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