ABSTRACT
COVID-19 associated acute kidney injury (COVID-AKI) is a common complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients. The susceptibility of human kidneys to direct SARS-CoV-2 infection and pharmacologic manipulation of the renin-angiotensin II signaling (RAS) pathway modulation of this susceptibility remain poorly characterized. Using induced pluripotent stem cell derived kidney organoids, SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV tropism, defined by the paired expression of a host receptor (ACE2, NRP1 or DPP4) and protease (TMPRSS2, TMPRSS4, FURIN, CTSB or CTSL), was identified primarily amongst proximal tubule cells. Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker being tested in COVID-19 patients, inhibited angiotensin II mediated internalization of ACE2, upregulated interferon stimulated genes (IFITM1 and BST2) known to restrict viral entry, and attenuated the infection of proximal tubule cells by SARS-CoV-2. Our work highlights the susceptibility of proximal tubule cells to SARS-CoV-2 and reveals a putative protective role for RAS inhibitors during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Fuente: iScience
Available online 28 January 2022, 103818
