Mpox Virus Impact on Kidney Organoids and Antiviral Treatment Response

What is it about?

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a viral disease primarily found in tropical regions of African countries. However, in 2022, it spread globally, causing multi-national outbreaks in Europe and America. The disease is characterized by skin lesions, but can also lead to systemic complications. Recently, a study investigated the susceptibility of human kidney organoids to MPXV infection. They found that the organoids effectively support the full life cycle of MPXV infection, and that MPXV can directly infect the kidney. The study also revealed rewiring of the host transcriptome and identified several pathways affected by MPXV infection, including those related to kidney development. The results suggest that kidney organoids could be a useful model for studying renal disease, pathogen infection, and drug development related to MPXV.

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Why is it important?

This research is important for several reasons: It provides valuable insights into the MPXV virus, which has caused global concern due to its multi-national outbreaks in 2022. The study demonstrates the utility of kidney organoids as a model for investigating renal disease, pathogen infection, and drug development. It reveals the susceptibility of human kidney organoids to MPXV infection, maps virus-host interactions, and tests the response to antiviral treatment, providing a basis for further research on the pathogenesis and treatment of MPXV infections. Key Takeaways: 1. MPXV can directly infect the kidney, as indicated by the detection of viral DNA in urine samples and the kidney organoid model's ability to support the full life cycle of MPXV infection. 2. MPXV infection leads to rewiring of the host transcriptome, with major changes in gene expression observed from 48 hours post-inoculation, and downregulation of pathways associated with renal system development and kidney development. 3. MPXV infection has a striking differential effect on kidney organoid structures, particularly glomerular and proximal tubular structures, which are broadly infected and eventually disintegrated, while distal tubular structures remain unharmed.