The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system: Role in pathogenesis and potential therapeutic target in COVID‐19

Braga, Cássia L.; Silva‐Aguiar, Rodrigo P.; Battaglini, Denise; Peruchetti, Diogo B.; Robba, Chiara; Pelosi, Paolo; Rocco, Patricia R. M.; Caruso‐Neves, Celso; Silva, Pedro L.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 novel coronavirus, has spread worldwide causing high fatality rates. Neither a vaccine nor specific therapeutic approaches are available, hindering the fight against this disease and making better understanding of its pathogenesis essential. Despite similarities between SARS‐CoV‐2 and SARS‐CoV, the former has unique characteristics which represent a great challenge to physicians. The mechanism of COVID‐19 infection and pathogenesis is still poorly understood. In the present review, we highlight possible pathways involved in the pathogenesis of COVID‐19 and potential therapeutic targets, focusing on the role of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system.