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Diagnosis and Monitoring of Kidney Disease: From Biology to Biomarkers
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Diagnosis and Monitoring of Kidney Disease: From Biology to Biomarkers

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 2736

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Susana Coimbra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. 1H-TOXRUN—1H-Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Advanced Polytechnic and University Cooperative, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
2. Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
3. UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Interests: biomarkers; chronic kidney disease; inflammation; cardiovascular disease risk factors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Flávio Reis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Institute of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, & Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: gut microbiota; therapeutics and nutraceuticals; cardiovascular and metabolic disorders; renal diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alice Santos-Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
UCIBIO i4HB, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Interests: chronic kidney disease; CKD anemia; cardiovascular disease risk; anemia; inflammation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem, the prevalence of which has been increasing significantly in recent years, creating a significant economic burden. In its early stages, CKD is usually asymptomatic and is often undiagnosed, given the low sensitivity of classic kidney biomarkers to identifying early renal damage. Knowledge of kidney disease biology, and namely of the biomolecules and molecular mechanisms that play key roles in its development and progression, is crucial for improving the management of this condition. The elucidation of the molecular signaling pathways involved in critical components of CKD-related pathologies, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, anemia, and renal fibrosis, is the first step in achieving early diagnoses and effective monitoring. Further, any attempt to identify the biomolecules that can be used as biomarkers of early renal lesions and of kidney disease progression should be encouraged. Reliable biomarkers will assist clinicians in diagnosis and treatment monitoring, avoiding, or minimizing, the worsening of CKD.

In this Special Issue, we intend to gather manuscripts that debate/report on recent advances in knowledge of kidney disease, from its biology to its biomarkers of interest.

Dr. Susana Coimbra
Dr. Flávio Reis
Dr. Alice Santos-Silva
Guest Editors

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

  • chronic kidney disease (CKD)
  • end-stage renal disease
  • CKD biomarkers
  • CKD progression
  • metabolomics
  • molecular pathways
  • biomolecules
  • CKD anemia
  • cardiovascular disease risk
  • CKD-related disease

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1232 KiB  
Article
Implementation and One-Year Evaluation of Proenkephalin A in Critical Care
by Lukas Martin, Caren Martin, Arne Peine, Matthias Imöhl, Alexander Kersten, Rafael Kramann, Turgay Saritas, Nikolaus Marx, Michael Dreher, Gernot Marx and Tim-Philipp Simon
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2602; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062602 - 13 Mar 2025
Viewed by 537
Abstract
Proenkephalin A 119–159 (PENK) is a promising functional kidney biomarker, evaluated in various clinical settings. In critical care medicine, early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) is crucial; however, to date, the diagnosis and the assessment of kidney function is still based on [...] Read more.
Proenkephalin A 119–159 (PENK) is a promising functional kidney biomarker, evaluated in various clinical settings. In critical care medicine, early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) is crucial; however, to date, the diagnosis and the assessment of kidney function is still based on serum creatinine (sCr) and urine output, both associated with several limitations. Between November 2020 and March 2022, we implemented PENK in our daily practice on our intensive care units (ICU). PENK, sCr, AKI stage, and the start and duration of renal replacement therapy (RRT) were documented. Almost 18,000 PENK measurements from 4169 patients were analyzed, and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated with the new PENK-GFR formula. PENK outperformed sCR in the kidney function assessment and sCR trajectory over time. Moreover, PENK predicted the use of RRT and thus showed its usefulness in critical care daily practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Monitoring of Kidney Disease: From Biology to Biomarkers)
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Review

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42 pages, 460 KiB  
Review
Biomarkers in Contrast-Induced Nephropathy: Advances in Early Detection, Risk Assessment, and Prevention Strategies
by Pei-Hua Lee, Shao Min Huang, Yi-Ching Tsai, Yu-Ting Wang and Fatt Yang Chew
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(7), 2869; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26072869 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 643
Abstract
Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) represents a significant complication associated with the use of iodinated contrast media (ICM), especially in individuals with preexisting renal impairment. The pathophysiology of CIN encompasses oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and hemodynamic disturbances, resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI). Early [...] Read more.
Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) represents a significant complication associated with the use of iodinated contrast media (ICM), especially in individuals with preexisting renal impairment. The pathophysiology of CIN encompasses oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and hemodynamic disturbances, resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI). Early detection is essential for effective management; however, conventional markers like serum creatinine (sCr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) exhibit limitations in sensitivity and timeliness. This review emphasizes the increasing significance of novel biomarkers in enhancing early detection and risk stratification of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Recent advancements in artificial intelligence and computational analytics have improved the predictive capabilities of these biomarkers, enabling personalized risk assessment and precision medicine strategies. Additionally, we discuss mitigation strategies, including hydration protocols, pharmacological interventions, and procedural modifications, aimed at reducing CIN incidence. Incorporating biomarker-driven assessments into clinical decision-making can enhance patient management and outcomes. Future research must prioritize the standardization of biomarker assays, the validation of predictive models across diverse patient populations, and the exploration of novel therapeutic targets. Utilizing advancements in biomarkers and risk mitigation strategies allows clinicians to improve the safety of contrast-enhanced imaging and reduce the likelihood of renal injury. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Monitoring of Kidney Disease: From Biology to Biomarkers)
24 pages, 7559 KiB  
Review
The Spectrum of Minimal Change Disease/Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: From Pathogenesis to Proteomic Biomarker Research
by Yuriy Maslyennikov, Andrada Alina Bărar, Crina Claudia Rusu, Alina Ramona Potra, Dacian Tirinescu, Maria Ticala, Alexandra Urs, Ioana Ecaterina Pralea, Cristina Adela Iuga, Diana Tania Moldovan and Ina Maria Kacso
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2450; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062450 - 9 Mar 2025
Viewed by 825
Abstract
Podocyte injury plays a central role in both focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD). Pathogenic mechanisms are diverse and incompletely understood, partially overlap between FSGS and MCD, and are not reflected by kidney biopsy. In order to optimize the current [...] Read more.
Podocyte injury plays a central role in both focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD). Pathogenic mechanisms are diverse and incompletely understood, partially overlap between FSGS and MCD, and are not reflected by kidney biopsy. In order to optimize the current variable response to treatment, personalized management should rely on pathogenesis. One promising approach involves identifying biomarkers associated with specific pathogenic pathways. With the advancement of technology, proteomic studies could be a valuable tool to improve knowledge in this area and define valid biomarkers, as they have in other areas of glomerular disease. This work attempts to cover and discuss the main mechanisms of podocyte injury, followed by a review of the recent literature on proteomic biomarker studies in podocytopathies. Most of these studies have been conducted on biofluids, while tissue proteomic studies applied to podocytopathies remain limited. While we recognize the importance of non-invasive biofluid biomarkers, we propose a sequential approach for their development: tissue proteomics could first identify proteins with increased expression that may reflect underlying disease mechanisms; subsequently, the validation of these proteins in urine or plasma could pave the way to a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker-based approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Monitoring of Kidney Disease: From Biology to Biomarkers)
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