Expression values were obtained from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project (https://gtexportal.org). Data are reported in transcripts per million (TPM) which is a normalized metric for comparing RNA sequencings.  These tissues are among those with the highest TMPRSS2 and ACE2 expression levels.

- only ACE2 expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue significantly differed by sex
- no significant different was observed in lung tissue despite the fact that COVID-19 morbidity and mortality has a male dominance

Michigan State University

- comparing expression levels in different tissues
- comparing expression levels by sex
- coexpression of TMPRSS2 and ACE2 

Comparing TMPRSS2 and ACE2 Expression

Baughn, L. B., Sharma, N., Elhaik, E., Sekulic, A., Bryce, A. H., & Fonseca, R. (2020, July). Targeting TMPRSS2 in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Elsevier.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025619620306261
doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.06.018

Targeting TMPRSS2 in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Expression values were obtained from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project (https://gtexportal.org).  Data are reported in transcripts per million (TPM) which is a normalized metric for comparing RNA sequencings.  * indicates a tissue that is associated with common COVID-19 symptoms.

- TMPRSS2 is expressed more in the lungs than ACE2
- both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in the gastrointestinal (GI) system which could contribute to the GI symptoms that COVID-19 patients experience
- ACE2 was most expressed in the testes
- TMPRSS2 was most expressed in the prostate

Comparing TMPRSS2 and ACE2 Expression in Different Tissues

TMPRSS2 and ACE2 Expression are Similar Across Sexes

It was hypothesized that IBD patients would be at a higher risk for developing severe COVID-19 because of their overactive immune responses and chronic gut inflammation which would result in increased ACE2 expression.  However, a recent study shows that neither inflammation nor medication related to IBD increase ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in the gut.  While soluble ACE2 expression may increase, which actually has a protective effect against SARS-CoV-2 infections, full length ACE2 that acts as the cellular receptor for the virus does not.  

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