COVID-19 morbidity and mortality have significant gender disparities, with higher prevalence and mortality in men. SARS-CoV-2 enters the lungs through the ACE2 enzyme, a member of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Although there are no data for the lung, the expressions of RAS components in other tissues are modulated by sex hormones, androgens, and estrogens. However, there are no data on sex-specific differences in ACE2 expression. If there is a sex difference in the expression of ACE2 in the lung, this could theoretically explain the gender disparity in COVID-19 disease. More importantly, although modulation of ACE2 will certainly not provide a cure for the COVID-19 disease, modulation of ACE2 by sex hormone modulators, if they affect the expression of ACE2, could potentially be developed into a supportive therapy for COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19的发病率和死亡率存在明显的性别差异，男性的患病率和死亡率较高。SARS-CoV-2通过ACE2酶进入肺部，ACE2是肾素-血管紧张素系统（RAS）的成员。尽管没有关于肺的数据，但其他组织中RAS成分的表达受到性激素，雄激素和雌激素的调节。但是，没有关于ACE2表达中性别特异性差异的数据。如果在肺中ACE2的表达存在性别差异，则理论上可以解释COVID-19疾病中的性别差异。更重要的是，尽管ACE2的调节当然不能治愈COVID-19疾病，但是性激素调节剂对ACE2的调节（如果它们影响ACE2的表达）有可能发展为COVID-19患者的支持疗法。