COVID-19 Infection Mechanism in Human Kidney Identified

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University in Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China, have discovered the potential pathway of COVID-19 infection in human kidney tissue. The study used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology to analyze the expression of the ACE2 receptor in renal cells. The results showed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus invades human kidney tissue through proximal convoluted tubule, proximal tubule, proximal straight tubule cells, and glomerular parietal cells via the ACE2-related pathway and the cellular protease TMPRSS2.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, shares 82% similarity in genome sequence with SARS-CoV.
  • Acute kidney injury (AKI) was reported in case studies involving COVID-19 patients.
  • The study identified 10 different clusters of cells in the human kidney, with ACE2 expression mainly present in proximal tubule and glomerular parietal epithelial cells.
  • Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that imbalance of ACE2 expression, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation, and neutrophil-related processes are the main issues leading to kidney injury in COVID-19 patients.
  • The study provided cellular evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus invades human kidney tissue via the ACE2-related pathway and the cellular protease TMPRSS2.

Statistics:

  • The SARS-CoV-2 virus shares 82% similarity in genome sequence with SARS-CoV.
  • 10 different clusters of cells were identified in the human kidney using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology.
  • 82.14% of cases of deceased patients were due to SARS-Cov-2.

Sources:

  • Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of human kidney reveals the presence of ACE2 receptor: A potential pathway of COVID-19 infection. Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine, 2020;():e1442.
  • Reports from First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University Advance Knowledge in COVID-19 (Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of human kidney reveals the presence of ACE2 receptor: A potential pathway of COVID-19 infection). Respiratory Therapeutics Week. August 17, 2020; p 671.