Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.2
3.9
Journals
Biomedicines
Special Issues
Emerging Trends in Kidney Disease
share announcement

Emerging Trends in Kidney Disease

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 7408

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Andrea Angioi

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, ARNAS “Brotzu”, Cagliari, Italy
Interests: clinical nephrology; kidney biopsy; renal pathology; glomerular diseases; ultrasound in nephrology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of nephrology is experiencing an unprecedented era of discovery and innovation, making it an incredibly exciting time for researchers and clinicians. Recent advances in our understanding of kidney disease are leading to breakthroughs in diagnosis, treatment, and patient care, and we are thrilled to highlight these developments in a Special Issue of Biomedicines.

In the area of glomerular diseases and vasculitis, novel therapeutic agents are emerging that target specific molecular pathways, offering new hope for patients with previously refractory conditions. For instance, advancements in the treatment of IgA nephropathy and ANCA-associated vasculitis showcase the potential of precision medicine in nephrology.

Dialysis care is also evolving rapidly with innovations that challenge old assumptions and improve patient outcomes. New strategies for advancing care planning and managing dialysis-related complications set new standards for patient safety and quality of life.

In transplantation, the groundbreaking xenotransplantation trials mark significant progress in this field.

Pediatric nephrology is making significant strides, highlighting the importance of early intervention, in particular, pioneering treatments for severe congenital conditions that can improve survival rates.

These advancements underscore a vibrant period of innovation in nephrology. We invite you to contribute to this Special Issue of Biomedicines, sharing your research findings, clinical insights, and innovative approaches. Your contributions will help shape the future of kidney disease treatment and management, advancing scientific knowledge and significantly impacting patient care and outcomes.

Dr. Andrea Angioi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • kidney disease
  • glomerular diseases
  • vasculitis
  • dialysis
  • hypertension
  • pediatric nephrology
  • transplantation
  • precision medicine
  • therapeutic advancements

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 3121 KiB  
Article
Hydroxyproline in Urine Microvesicles as a Biomarker of Fibrosis in the Renal Transplant Patient
by María José Torres Sánchez, María Carmen Ruiz Fuentes, Elena Clavero García, Noelia Rísquez Chica, Karla Espinoza Muñoz, María José Espigares Huete, Mercedes Caba Molina, Antonio Osuna and Rosemary Wangensteen
Biomedicines 2024, 12(12), 2836; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12122836 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 941
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy in kidney transplantation is an unspecific lesion induced by immune and non-immune factors, which determines the progression of chronic kidney disease. Hydroxyproline is an imino acid that is part of the molecule of collagen. The aim of this [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy in kidney transplantation is an unspecific lesion induced by immune and non-immune factors, which determines the progression of chronic kidney disease. Hydroxyproline is an imino acid that is part of the molecule of collagen. The aim of this study was to assess hydroxyproline in urine microvesicles as a marker of fibrosis in the renal transplant patient. Patients and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 46 renal transplant patients who had undergone renal biopsy with diagnostic intention, as well as 19 healthy controls. Clinical, histological, and laboratory variables were collected at the time of marker determination and renal function was analyzed 2 years later. Hydroxyproline was measured in urine microvesicles. Results: Renal transplant patients showed a higher microvesicular concentration of hydroxyproline compared to the control group, with the following medians (interquartile range (IQR)): 28.024 (5.53) ng/mL vs. 2.51 (1.16) ng/mL, p < 0.001. In the transplanted patients, patients in whom biopsy showed some score of total cortical parenchymal inflammation (ti) displayed a significantly higher concentration of hydroxyproline in urine microvesicles than those patients who did not score for cortical parenchymal inflammation (29.91 ± 2.797 ng/mL vs. 22.72 ± 8.697 ng/mL, p = 0.034). No significant correlation was observed between urinary markers and serum creatinine, calcium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Conclusions: The concentration of hydroxyproline in urinary microvesicles increased in renal transplant patients relative to healthy controls. Hydroxyproline in urinary microvesicles is a marker of chronic renal inflammation in transplanted patients, and further studies are required to confirm this finding in other pathologies, as well as the association with fibrosis and the evolution of renal function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Kidney Disease)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 590 KiB  
Article
Osteopontin and Clinical Outcomes in Hemodialysis Patients
by Claudia Torino, Federico Carbone, Patrizia Pizzini, Sabrina Mezzatesta, Graziella D’Arrigo, Mercedes Gori, Luca Liberale, Margherita Moriero, Cristina Michelauz, Federica Frè, Simone Isoppo, Aurora Gavoci, Federica La Rosa, Alessandro Scuricini, Amedeo Tirandi, Davide Ramoni, Francesca Mallamaci, Giovanni Tripepi, Fabrizio Montecucco and Carmine Zoccali
Biomedicines 2024, 12(11), 2605; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12112605 - 14 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1107
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are significant public health issues, with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality being the leading causes of death in hemodialysis patients. Osteopontin (OPN), a multifunctional glycoprotein, has emerged as a potential biomarker for vascular disease [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are significant public health issues, with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality being the leading causes of death in hemodialysis patients. Osteopontin (OPN), a multifunctional glycoprotein, has emerged as a potential biomarker for vascular disease in CKD due to its role in inflammation, tissue remodeling, and calcification. Methods: This cohort study included 1124 hemodialysis patients from the PROGREDIRE study, a registry involving 35 dialysis units in Southern Italy. Serum osteopontin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The primary endpoints were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the association between osteopontin levels and mortality, adjusting for traditional risk factors, biomarkers of inflammation, nutritional status, and ESKD-related factors. Results: During a mean follow-up of 2.8 years, 478 patients died, 271 from cardiovascular causes. Independent correlates of osteopontin included alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone. Elevated osteopontin levels were significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09–1.31, p < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08–1.38, p = 0.001) after adjusting for confounders. Conclusions: Elevated osteopontin levels are associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients. These findings implicate osteopontin in the high risk for death and cardiovascular disease in the hemodialysis population. Intervention studies are needed to definitively test this hypothesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Kidney Disease)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

12 pages, 1040 KiB  
Review
The Role of miRNAs as Early Biomarkers in Obesity-Related Glomerulopathy: Implications for Early Detection and Treatment
by Maruja Navarro-Díaz and Marina López-Martínez
Biomedicines 2025, 13(5), 1030; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051030 - 24 Apr 2025
Viewed by 177
Abstract
Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) is a potentially reversible cause of kidney disease that often progresses silently until it reaches irreversible stages. However, we are still lacking a sensitive and specific biomarker to [...] Read more.
Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) is a potentially reversible cause of kidney disease that often progresses silently until it reaches irreversible stages. However, we are still lacking a sensitive and specific biomarker to identify patients with obesity who are at risk of developing CKD. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) has emerged as a promising area for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in kidney disease. Recent research has highlighted the specific roles of various miRNAs in renal function, showing that their dysregulation can contribute to the development of kidney diseases. This review will discuss the emerging role of miRNAs in the context of ORG, focusing on their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this increasingly prevalent disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Kidney Disease)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 3501 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances and Perspectives on the Use of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Hypertension and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Review
by Kisho Miyasako, Yujiro Maeoka and Takao Masaki
Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010053 - 29 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1814
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern around the world. It is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and, as it progresses, the risk of cardiovascular events increases. Furthermore, end-stage kidney disease severely affects life expectancy and quality [...] Read more.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern around the world. It is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and, as it progresses, the risk of cardiovascular events increases. Furthermore, end-stage kidney disease severely affects life expectancy and quality of life. Type 2 diabetes and hypertension are not only primary causes of CKD but also independent risk factors for CVD, which underscores the importance of effective treatment strategies for these conditions. The current therapies, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, are administered to control hypertension, slow the progression of CKD, and reduce cardiovascular risk. However, their efficacy remains suboptimal in certain instances. Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), a nuclear receptor found in various tissues, such as the kidney and heart, plays a pivotal role in the progression of CKD. Overactivation of MR triggers inflammation and fibrosis, which exacerbates kidney damage and accelerates disease progression. MR antagonists (MRAs) have substantial beneficial effects in patients with cardiac and renal conditions; however, their use has been constrained because of adverse effects, such as hyperkalemia and kidney dysfunction. Recently, novel non-steroidal MRAs are more efficacious and have superior safety profiles to steroidal MRAs, making them promising potential components of future treatment strategies. Here, we discuss recent findings and the roles of MRAs in the management of hypertension and CKD, with a focus on the evidence obtained from fundamental research and major clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Kidney Disease)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 334 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Molecular Modalities in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Kidney Disease with a Focus on the Potential Therapeutic Implications
by Lyubomir Gaydarski, Kristina Petrova, Ivan Angushev, Stancho Stanchev, Alexandar Iliev, Nikola Stamenov, Vidin Kirkov and Boycho Landzhov
Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010050 - 28 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1147
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease worldwide, affecting approximately 40% of individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and 30% of those with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). As the prevalence of diabetes continues [...] Read more.
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease worldwide, affecting approximately 40% of individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and 30% of those with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, the burden of DKD is expected to grow correspondingly. This review explores the roles of key molecular pathways, including the apelinergic system, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor (VEGFR) axis, and nitric oxide (NO)/nitric oxide synthase (NOS) signaling, in DKD pathogenesis and potential therapeutic applications. The apelinergic system, involving apelin and its receptor (APLNR), influences endothelial function, glucose metabolism, and renal health. Preclinical studies highlight its dual role in renal protection and injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways, while other evidence suggests that it may exacerbate DKD through podocyte damage and angiogenesis. Similarly, the VEGF/VEGFR axis demonstrates a complex contribution to DKD, where VEGF-A promotes pathological angiogenesis and glomerular damage, but its inhibition requires careful modulation to prevent adverse effects. The NO/NOS system, integral to vascular and renal homeostasis, also exhibits altered activity in DKD, with reduced bioavailability linked to oxidative stress and inflammation. This review underscores the intricate interplay between these pathways in DKD, revealing both challenges and opportunities in their therapeutic targeting. Further research is essential to refine strategies and develop effective interventions for DKD management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Kidney Disease)
32 pages, 1387 KiB  
Review
Dyslipidemia in Peritoneal Dialysis: Implications for Peritoneal Membrane Function and Patient Outcomes
by Natalia Stepanova
Biomedicines 2024, 12(10), 2377; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12102377 - 17 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1488
Abstract
Dyslipidemia is a common metabolic complication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and has traditionally been viewed primarily in terms of cardiovascular risk. Current guidelines do not recommend initiating lipid-lowering therapy in dialysis patients due to insufficient evidence of its benefits on cardiovascular [...] Read more.
Dyslipidemia is a common metabolic complication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and has traditionally been viewed primarily in terms of cardiovascular risk. Current guidelines do not recommend initiating lipid-lowering therapy in dialysis patients due to insufficient evidence of its benefits on cardiovascular mortality. However, the impact of dyslipidemia in PD patients may extend beyond cardiovascular concerns, influencing PD-related outcomes such as the peritoneal ultrafiltration rate, residual kidney function, PD technique survival, and overall mortality. This review challenges the traditional perspective by discussing dyslipidemia’s potential role in PD-related complications, which may account for the observed link between dyslipidemia and increased all-cause mortality in PD patients. It explores the pathophysiology of dyslipidemia in PD, the molecular mechanisms linking dyslipidemia to peritoneal membrane dysfunction, and summarizes clinical evidence supporting this hypothesis. In addition, this paper examines the potential for therapeutic strategies to manage dyslipidemia to improve peritoneal membrane function and patient outcomes. The review calls for future research to investigate dyslipidemia as a potential contributor to peritoneal membrane dysfunction and to develop targeted interventions for PD patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Kidney Disease)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop