Highly pathogenic coronaviruses and the kidney.

Since the end of 2019, the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered a pneumonia epidemic, posing a significant public health challenge in 236 countries, territories, and regions worldwide. Clinically, in addition to the symptoms of pulmonary infection, many patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections, especially those with a critical illness, eventually develop multiple organ failure in which damage to the kidney function is common, ultimately leading to severe consequences such as increased mortality and morbidity. To date, three coronaviruses have set off major global public health security incidents: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2. Among the diseases caused by the coronaviruses, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been the most impactful and harmful. Similar to with SARS-CoV-2 infections, previous studies have shown that kidney injury is also common and prominent in patients with the two other highly pathogenic coronaviruses. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to comprehensively summarize the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of these three pandemic-level infections, provide a deep analysis of the potential mechanism of COVID-19 in various types of kidney diseases, and explore the causes of secondary kidney diseases of SARS-CoV-2, so as to provide a reference for further research and the clinical prevention of kidney damage caused by coronaviruses.

Advances in Pathogenesis, Progression, Potential Targets and Targeted Therapeutic Strategies in SARS-CoV-2-Induced COVID-19.

As the new year of 2020 approaches, an acute respiratory disease quietly caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in Wuhan, China. Subsequently, COVID-19 broke out on a global scale and formed a global public health emergency. To date, the destruction that has lasted for more than two years has not stopped and has caused the virus to continuously evolve new mutant strains. SARS-CoV-2 infection has been shown to cause multiple complications and lead to severe disability and death, which has dealt a heavy blow to global development, not only in the medical field but also in social security, economic development, global cooperation and communication. To date, studies on the epidemiology, pathogenic mechanism and pathological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2-induced COVID-19, as well as target confirmation, drug screening, and clinical intervention have achieved remarkable effects. With the continuous efforts of the WHO, governments of various countries, and scientific research and medical personnel, the public's awareness of COVID-19 is gradually deepening, a variety of prevention methods and detection methods have been implemented, and multiple vaccines and drugs have been developed and urgently marketed. However, these do not appear to have completely stopped the pandemic and ravages of this virus. Meanwhile, research on SARS-CoV-2-induced COVID-19 has also seen some twists and controversies, such as potential drugs and the role of vaccines. In view of the fact that research on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 has been extensive and in depth, this review will systematically update the current understanding of the epidemiology, transmission mechanism, pathological features, potential targets, promising drugs and ongoing clinical trials, which will provide important references and new directions for SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 research.

Berberine regulates mesangial cell proliferation and cell cycle to attenuate diabetic nephropathy through the PI3K/Akt/AS160/GLUT1 signalling pathway.

High glucose (HG) is one of the basic factors of diabetic nephropathy (DN), which leads to high morbidity and disability. During DN, the expression of glomerular glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) increases, but the relationship between HG and GLUT1 is unclear. Glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) have multiple roles in HG-induced DN. Here, we report prominent glomerular dysfunction, especially GMC abnormalities, in DN mice, which is closely related to GLUT1 alteration. In vivo studies have shown that BBR can alleviate pathological changes and abnormal renal function indicators of DN mice. In vitro, BBR (30, 60 and 90 µmol/L) not only increased the proportion of G1 phase cells but also reduced the proportion of S phase cells under HG conditions at different times. BBR (60 µmol/L) significantly reduced the expression of PI3K-p85, p-Akt, p-AS160, membrane-bound GLUT1 and cyclin D1, but had almost no effect on total protein. Furthermore, BBR significantly declined the glucose uptake and retarded cyclin D1-mediated GMC cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. This study demonstrated that BBR can inhibit the development of DN, which may be due to BBR inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/AS160/GLUT1 signalling pathway to regulate HG-induced abnormal GMC proliferation and the cell cycle, supporting BBR as a potential therapeutic drug for DN.

The potential insights of Traditional Chinese Medicine on treatment of COVID-19.

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) broke out in 2019 and spread rapidly around the world. There is still no specific antiviral therapy to the current pandemic. In China, historical records show that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is effective in prevention and enhancing the resistance to pandemic with unique insights. To fight with COVID-19, National Health and Commission of PRC has recommended some TCM in the guideline, such as HuoxiangZhengqi, LianhuaQingwen ShufengJiedu and XueBijing, and actually displayed a remarkable effect in clinical treatment strategic for COVID-19. We review studies to provide an in-depth understanding into the effect of TCM, and also introduce the possible mechanism involved in COVID-19 treatment.

Potential therapeutic targets and promising drugs for combating SARS-CoV-2.

As of April 9, 2020, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) had caused 89,931 deaths and 1,503,900 confirmed cases worldwide, which indicates an increasingly severe and uncontrollable situation. Initially, little was known about the virus. As research continues, we now know the genome structure, epidemiological and clinical characteristics, and pathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2. Based on this knowledge, potential targets involved in the processes of virus pathogenesis need to be identified, and the discovery or development of drugs based on these potential targets is the most pressing need. Here, we have summarized the potential therapeutic targets involved in virus pathogenesis and discuss the advances, possibilities, and significance of drugs based on these targets for treating SARS-CoV-2. This review will facilitate the identification of potential targets and provide clues for drug development that can be translated into clinical applications for combating SARS-CoV-2.