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Review
. 2020;2(11):2015-2024.
doi: 10.1007/s42399-020-00529-0. Epub 2020 Sep 23.

SARS-CoV-2-Related Kidney Injury: Current Concern and Challenges

Yongqian Cheng #  1 , Wenling Wang #  1 , Liang Wu  1 , Guangyan Cai  1   2
Affiliations
Review

SARS-CoV-2-Related Kidney Injury: Current Concern and Challenges

Yongqian Cheng et al. SN Compr Clin Med. 2020.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only causes pulmonary inflammation but also causes multiple organ damages, including the kidney. ACE2, as one of the receptors for SARS-CoV-2 intrusion, is widely distributed in kidney tissues. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are still unclear. Here, we review the recent findings of characteristics of COVID-19 in CKD patients and highlight the possible mechanisms of kidney injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. We then discuss the emerging therapeutic approaches aimed at reducing kidney damage and protecting kidney function including virus removal, immunotherapy, supporting treatment, special blood purification therapy, etc. Problems unresolved and challenges ahead are also discussed.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Coronavirus disease 2019; Kidney injury; Pathogenesis; Treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Related factors and possible treatment of COVID-19-related kidney injury
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Possible pathogenic mechanisms related with kidney injury. a Schematic diagram of the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in renal tissue confirmed by current studies. SARS-CoV-2 virus particles were detected in cytoplasm of proximal and distal tubular epithelium, as well as in podocytes [35]. ACE2 is mainly distributed in the glomerular visceral and parietal epithelium, in the brush border and cytoplasm of proximal tubular cells, and in the cytoplasm of distal tubules and collecting ducts [29]. Decreased pressure of the glomerular artery and direct viral damage may be associated with glomerular lesions. The main pathological findings were fibrin thrombi and ischemic glomerular contraction [35]. b Schematic diagram of pathological damage of proximal convoluted tubules and peritubular capillaries of the kidney. Inflammatory cell infiltration, release of inflammatory cytokines, chemokine, and others caused renal tubular injury. Erythrocyte aggregates obstructed peritubular capillaries, and debris comprised of necrotic epithelium accumulated in tubular lumens [35]. c SARS-CoV-2 invades renal tubule-associated molecules. Schematic diagram of proteins associated with SARS-CoV-2 invasion into proximal tubule cell
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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