Long COVID May Trigger Lasting Kidney Damage Due to Persistent Inflammation and Fibrosis
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 06, 2025 1 month, 2 weeks, 20 hours, 15 minutes ago
Medical News: A team of scientists from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida, the University of Florence in Italy, and HCA Florida Kendall Hospital has uncovered new evidence showing that even long after COVID-like infection subsides, kidneys may continue to suffer from inflammation and damage. Their study used a mouse model of COVID-19 to simulate post-acute complications in the kidney and has brought to light potential causes behind chronic kidney problems seen in long COVID patients.
Long COVID May Trigger Lasting Kidney Damage Due to Persistent Inflammation and Fibrosis
In this
Medical News report, the researchers used a murine hepatitis virus strain (MHV-1), known to mimic SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice, to study its effects on kidneys over both short and long periods. They found significant disruptions to kidney function and gene expression even 12 months after infection—long after typical viral infections are thought to have cleared.
What the Study Found
During the acute stage of infection, kidneys displayed signs of severe inflammation. Immune markers like IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α were highly elevated, and signs of tissue damage were visible under microscope imaging. Viral particles and proteins—including spike and nucleocapsid proteins—were still found inside kidney cells, even long after initial infection. This lingering viral presence is believed to continuously provoke the immune system, fueling ongoing inflammation.
Gene sequencing revealed that not only were inflammation-related genes upregulated, but a range of genes involved in muscle repair and tissue remodeling—like MYH3, MYOD1, and CAV3—were also switched on. This unusual gene activity suggests the kidney was undergoing maladaptive remodeling, potentially leading to permanent scarring and fibrosis.
Additionally, there were notable changes in the expression of solute carrier (SLC) genes, which are critical for filtering and transporting substances like sodium, calcium, and amino acids in the kidneys. Many of these genes were either overactive or suppressed, which researchers believe may explain why long COVID patients sometimes develop kidney dysfunction or high blood pressure.
Promising Therapy with SPIKENET
Importantly, the researchers also tested the effect of a novel therapeutic peptide called SPIKENET (SPK). SPK targets the viral spike protein and blocks it from entering cells. In the treated group of mice, SPK reversed most of the harmful gene expression patterns and reduced inflammation to near-normal levels. The kidneys in SPK-treated mice showed fewer signs of fibrosis and better molecular recovery, suggesting its strong potential as a therapy for long COVID-related kidney issues.
Long-Term Risks and Implications
The findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2—or a virus mimicking it—can remain in the body’s tissues long after symptoms have resolved, and this lingering presence
can lead to long-term organ remodeling and fibrosis. In the case of the kidney, such changes may result in chronic kidney disease or even progress to end-stage renal failure in vulnerable individuals. The abnormal gene activity related to inflammation, cellular stress, and structural repair could permanently alter kidney function.
This study emphasizes the urgent need to monitor kidney health in COVID-19 survivors, especially those showing persistent symptoms. The discovery of SPIKENET’s ability to normalize kidney gene expression provides hope, but further human trials are needed.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Diseases
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/8/246
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-linked-to-dangerous-kidney-complications-in-millions-worldwide
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/kidney-issues-emerging-in-children-after-mild-covid-19-infections-raises-new-concerns
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/taiwanese-study-warns-that-covid-19-quietly-triggers-long-term-kidney-damage-even-without-initial-kidney-injury
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