Sex-based differences in respiratory control: Progress in basic physiology and clinical research

Are sex hormones promising candidates to explain sex disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic?

“…There are several underlying differences in physiological functions between the two sexes and this fact implies a diverse incidence and severity of major diseases, as cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and immune disorders up to lifespan regulation [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. As an example, 80% of patients with autoimmune diseases are females and similarly 80% of patients with osteoporosis are women [13][14][15].…”

“…The ACE2 gene encodes a type I carboxypeptidase glycoprotein of about 100 kDa, composed by 805 amino acids and located as an ectoenzyme on the surface of the cells. ACE2 enzyme acts exclusively as a carboxypeptidase removing a C-terminal amino acid from Angiotensin II (Ang II) generating Ang(1-7) or from Ang I forming Ang (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). The Ang(1-7) acts through its G-protein coupled receptor Mas [34].…”