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Updated: Oct 21, 2025

An Intestine/Liver Microphysiological System for Drug Pharmacokinetic and Toxicological Assessment
Published on: December 3, 2020
Expression and Possible Significance of ACE2 in the Human Liver, Esophagus, Stomach, and Colon
Yiwen Liu1,2, Qing Wu2, Dongmei Wan3
1The Affifiliated Nanhua Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China.
Abstract:
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been identified as the key receptor of SARS coronavirus that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of SARS. It is known that ACE2 mRNA can be expressed in most organs. However, the protein expression of ACE2 is not clear yet. To explore the role of ACE2 as a precipitating factor in digestive organ damage in COVID-19, this study investigated the expression of ACE2 protein in the human liver, esophagus, stomach, and colon. The result showed that ACE2 can be expressed in the liver, esophagus, stomach, and colon, which suggests SARS-CoV-2 may enter the digestive system through ACE2 and cause liver damage and gastrointestinal damage. It is hoped that the result of the study will provide a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of digestive organ damage under COVID-19.
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