The lethal internal face of the coronaviruses: Kidney tropism of the SARS, MERS, and COVID19 viruses

Abstract

The kidney is one of the main targets attacked by viruses in patients with a coronavirus infection. Until now, SARS-CoV-2 has been identified as the seventh member of the coronavirus family capable of infecting humans. In the past two decades, humankind has experienced outbreaks triggered by two other extremely infective members of the coronavirus family; the MERS-CoV and the SARS-CoV. According to several investigations, SARS-CoV causes proteinuria and renal impairment or failure. The SARS-CoV was identified in the distal convoluted tubules of the kidney of infected patients. Also, renal dysfunction was observed in numerous cases of MERS-CoV infection. And recently, during the 2019-nCoV pandemic, it was found that the novel coronavirus not only induces acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) but also can induce damages in various organs including the liver, heart, and kidney. The kidney tissue and its cells are targeted massively by the coronaviruses due to the abundant presence of ACE2 and Dpp4 receptors on kidney cells. These receptors are characterized as the main route of coronavirus entry to the victim cells. Renal failure due to massive viral invasion can lead to undesirable complications and enhanced mortality rate, thus more attention should be paid to the pathology of coronaviruses in the kidney. Here, we have provided the most recent knowledge on the coronaviruses (SARS, MERS, and COVID19) pathology and the mechanisms of their impact on the kidney tissue and functions.

Potential COVID‐19 therapeutic approaches targeting angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2; An updated review

“…45,46 The soluble form of ACE2, which lacks the membrane anchor, can compete with SARS-CoV receptors by inhibiting viral particle binding to the surface-bound, full-length ACE2. 6,[47][48][49][50] Camostat mesylate is one of these nonspecific TMPRSS2 protease inhibitors that bears the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture through pseudovirus. 51 Protease inhibitors such as disulfiram, alphainterferon, lopinavir-ritonavir, and PLpro proteases, have been proposed as potential agents against SARS and MERS.…”

“…The soluble form of ACE2, which lacks the membrane anchor, can compete with SARS‐CoV receptors by inhibiting viral particle binding to the surface‐bound, full‐length ACE2 6,47–50 . Camostat mesylate is one of these nonspecific TMPRSS2 protease inhibitors that bears the S protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 in cell culture through pseudovirus 51 .…”

Potent SARS‐CoV2‐specific T‐cell response in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients with hidden COVID‐19 infection history

“…In this regard, more attention is needed for ESRD patients' immunity status, not only for disease maintenance but also for predicting immune response toward COVID‐19 vaccination. 16 , 17 , 18 …”

“…In this regard, more attention is needed for ESRD patients' immunity status, not only for disease maintenance but also for predicting immune response toward COVID-19 vaccination. [16][17][18] In this research, SARS-COV-2 infection screening was done for humoral and cellular immunity using specific ELIA and MHCtetramer assay in asymptomatic patients under hemodialysis maintenance therapy (MHT), respectively.…”

“…These patients are considered high‐risk communities because they need scheduled hospitalization due to hemodialysis therapy. In this regard, more attention is needed for ESRD patients' immunity status, not only for disease maintenance but also for predicting immune response toward COVID‐19 vaccination 16–18 …”