Proposed mechanisms of acute kidney injury caused by COVID-19. The virus may directly or indirectly damage the kidneys, possibly through organ crosstalk, cytokine storm and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) secretion, which can lead to cell death in specific renal cells like podocytes and proximal tubular cells. Additionally, complement activation and an abnormal immune system response may contribute to further damage of kidney tissue. Abnormal immune system and complement activation can cause additional harm to kidney tissue. Myositis and damage to endothelial cells can result in the formation of microthrombi. Immune system dysfunction or direct damage to blood vessels from a virus can cause abnormal clotting. AKI can also be caused by infection or drug-induced rhabdomyolysis. The figure refers to the pathogenesis of AKI in COVID-19 by Chavez-Valencia et al. (DOI: 10.3390/diseases10030053).