id	author	title	date	pages	extension	mime	words	sentences	flesch	summary	cache	txt
cord-330093-asba80bi	Leung, Janice M.	Smoking, ACE-2 and COVID-19: ongoing controversies	2020-07-16		.txt	text/plain	2777	145	48	Both research teams are reporting increased angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) expression in airways of current smokers and those with COPD, with important implications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Since ACE-2 has been shown to be the main receptor utilised by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to enter the host cells [2] , the authors conclude that nicotine is a risk factor for COVID-19. Here, we bring to the discussion whether the increased susceptibility and virulence of SARS-CoV-2 via α7-nAChR and the upregulation of small airway ACE-2 expression may also be relevant for those who vape using nicotine-based e-cigarettes. While smoking may not necessarily increase one's risk for contracting COVID-19, the biological and inflammatory cascade that occurs upon severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may be particularly devastating for a smoker.	./cache/cord-330093-asba80bi.txt	./txt/cord-330093-asba80bi.txt