ACE-2 expression in the small airway epithelia of smokers and COPD patients: implications for COVID-19

<b>Smokers and those with COPD have increased airway expression of ACE-2, which is the entry receptor for the COVID-19 virus. This may explain the increased risk of severe COVID-19 in these subpopulations and highlight the importance of smoking cessation.</b>https://bit.ly/3bC29es