Impact of the COVID-19 Virus on Kidney Cells
With surges in SARS-CoV-2 virus infection globally, it is important to understand the long-term implications that this virus may have on one’s health. During the pandemic, there has been a surge in reports of patients experiencing acute kidney injury in severe COVID-19 cases. This was not only limited to patients with a past history of kidney complications; even infected patients who had never experienced kidney-related issues were developing kidney disease. As such, a recent study conducted by Duke researchers sought to further investigate this by better understanding how the virus can affect human kidney cells.
Researchers sought to investigate this relationship by infecting a human induced stem cell with a pseudovirus version of COVID-19. Stem cells are types of cells that are able to become different cell types that have specific functions. Researchers are able to reprogram an adult cell to become an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) so that the cell is later available to mature into a specific cell type. This stem cell was then guided to develop into a type of kidney cell responsible for removing waste from the blood. The pseudovirus was created to mimic the effects of the actual COVID-19 virus without the same risk of transmission, allowing for the virus to be used safely in a research setting.
Researchers sought to investigate this relationship by infecting a human induced stem cell with a pseudovirus version of COVID-19. Stem cells are types of cells that are able to become different cell types that have specific functions. Researchers are able to reprogram an adult cell to become an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) so that the cell is later available to mature into a specific cell type. This stem cell was then guided to develop into a type of kidney cell responsible for removing waste from the blood. The pseudovirus was created to mimic the effects of the actual COVID-19 virus without the same risk of transmission, allowing for the virus to be used safely in a research setting.
This study has shows how the COVID-19 virus could attack kidney cells, resulting in dysfunction and ultimately, kidney damage.
Image Source: Viktor Forgacs
After the introduction of the pseudovirus, the researchers found that the virus was capable of binding itself to receptors—parts of cells onto which the virus can attach to produce a certain response within the cell—on the kidney cell. Upon infection, the cell was damaged, resulting in an inability to bind to cells and sometimes even lead to cell death. The virus was also capable of reproducing and infecting other cells in the vicinity.
The implications of this study contribute to a better understanding of how the COVID-19 virus operates within the body. Many individuals have adopted the idea that “just about everyone is going to be infected at some point.” However, this should not be the reason that people are less cautious in public settings, as people should continue to take precautions to protect themselves from infection. Even though most people survive infection, it is important to understand that the virus may have long-term consequences on one’s health. After all, there were cases where infected patients who never had issues with their kidneys previously were later put on dialysis treatment due to kidney damage from the virus. The results of the study show the importance of continuing to be wary of the virus, despite the decreasing fatality rate.
The implications of this study contribute to a better understanding of how the COVID-19 virus operates within the body. Many individuals have adopted the idea that “just about everyone is going to be infected at some point.” However, this should not be the reason that people are less cautious in public settings, as people should continue to take precautions to protect themselves from infection. Even though most people survive infection, it is important to understand that the virus may have long-term consequences on one’s health. After all, there were cases where infected patients who never had issues with their kidneys previously were later put on dialysis treatment due to kidney damage from the virus. The results of the study show the importance of continuing to be wary of the virus, despite the decreasing fatality rate.
Featured Image Source: RODNAE Productions
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