Molecular mechanisms of kidney crosstalk with distant organs

Inter-organ interactions are critical for maintaining homeostasis in the body but can contribute to multi-organ dysfunction. Clinical evidence indicates that kidney dysfunction contributes to remote organ dysfunction, but little is known of the underlying mechanisms. Several reports published in 2022 identified critical mediators of kidney crosstalk with distant organs. Key advances Injured kidneys release osteopontin, which mediates lung inflammation and acute lung injury following acute kidney injury (kidney-lung crosstalk)1. CCR2+ myeloid cells accumulate in the post-ischaemic kidney and produce inflammatory mediators that exacerbate aortic atherosclerotic lesions (kidney-vascular crosstalk)2. Tryptophan-derived uraemic solutes suppress endothelial Wnt signalling and impair post-ischaemic angiogenic responses (kidney-vascular crosstalk)3. Intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammation contribute to the development of diabetic kidney disease (kidney-gut crosstalk)4. Disruption of the peripheral circadian rhythm is intricately involved in the development of parathyroid hyperplasia in chronic kidney disease (kidney-parathyroid crosstalk)5.

Automated summary

Interactions between organs play a critical role in maintaining body homeostasis. Kidney dysfunction can contribute to dysfunction in distant organs, and several studies have identified key mechanisms underlying this kidney crosstalk with other organs.