Spleen and kidney

"Spleen and kidney" does not identify a single molecular target, such as a protein, receptor, or enzyme, but instead refers to a pair of anatomical organs or a clinical syndrome in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In pharmacology, the term is most frequently encountered in the context of "Spleen and Kidney Deficiency," a pathological pattern used in TCM to describe the progression of chronic kidney disease and diabetic nephropathy, which is treated with multi-component herbal formulas designed to regulate immune and metabolic pathways [10, 15]. In veterinary medicine and aquaculture, the phrase is associated with the "Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus" (ISKNV), a significant double-stranded DNA virus that causes severe organ damage and high mortality in various fish species [1, 5, 17]. Furthermore, these organs are often described as "target organs" for the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) during conditions like endotoxic shock [2]. Because the provided name refers to an organ pair or a complex disease state rather than a discrete biological molecule, it is not considered a valid canonical therapeutic target in a biotech or drug development context.

Other names

Spleen and kidney deficiency syndromeInfectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV)Spleen and kidney qi deficiencyJianpi-YishenSpleen-kidney-care

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas target multiple proteins (e.g., AKT1, TNF) to 'tonify' these organs and reduce inflammation; in viral contexts, refers to the pathogenesis of systemic organ failure [5, 10, 13].