Inherited/Genetically-Associated Pheochromocytoma/ Paraganglioma Syndromes and COVID-19

Ilias, Ioannis; Kaltsas, Gregory; Barkas, Konstantinos; Chrousos, George P.

In some subjects with inherited pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPG) syndromes, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) stabilization/activation could lead to an increase in angiotensin converting enzymes (ACE). This would result in the stimulation of angiotensin (AT) II production and, hence, reduce the availability of ACE 2. The latter would provide decreased numbers of binding sites for the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and, therefore, result in less points of viral entry into cells. Thus, subjects with HIF1α-associated PPG syndromes may benefit from an inherent protective effect against COVID-19. Such an implication of HIF1α vis-à -vis COVID-19 could open ways of therapeutic interventions.