COVID-19 became a global pandemic in 2020. SARS-CoV-2, although of respiratory origin, can affect many other organ systems. Patients with severe COVID-19 have commonly reported acute kidney injury. Recent studies have reported decreased concentrations of megalin, a protein involved in vitamin D metabolism in the kidney, in patients with COVID-19. However, the relationship between megalin, vitamin D metabolism and kidney injury during COVID-19 is unclear. A study in Scientific Reports found that in K18-hACE2 mice infected with SARS-CoV-2, the decrease in megalin expression seemed to alter the role of vitamin D in the kidney even though vitamin D levels remained unchanged in infected animals compared to control animals. SARS-CoV-2 infection increased tumor necrosis factor alpha levels, suggesting an abnormal vitamin D metabolism. These results show the importance of clarifying the local role of vitamin D in the kidney of COVID-19 patients to better treat COVID-19-related kidney pathogenesis.
Original reference: Kurosaki, Y. et al. Sci. Rep. 14, 24313 (2024)
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