Molecular Insights into Pediatric Kidney Diseases: From Development to Disease and Therapy
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: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 47
Editor
2. Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Interests: pediatric kidney diseases; human kidney development; kidney organoids and patient-derived tubuloids; congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT); inherited tubulopathies (Dent disease); Wilms tumor; pediatric acute kidney injury; nephron progenitors; precision medicine for pediatric nephrology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The kidney is a structurally complex organ whose development and function depend on tightly coordinated molecular programs. Disturbances of these programs in early life give rise to a broad spectrum of pediatric kidney diseases—from congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), inherited tubulopathies and renal ciliopathies to glomerular disorders, embryonal renal tumors such as Wilms tumor, and acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill neonates and children. Pediatric kidney diseases account for a substantial and growing share of childhood morbidity and remain a leading driver of progression to chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease in adulthood, with long-term cardiovascular and metabolic consequences.
Despite recent advances in genetic diagnostics and the emergence of human-based experimental platforms [i.e., induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived kidney and collecting duct organoids, patient-derived tubuloids and chimeric transplantation systems], the molecular mechanisms underlying many pediatric kidney disorders remain incompletely understood, and disease-modifying therapies tailored to the developing kidney are still scarce. Closing this gap requires integrating molecular, developmental, and translational perspectives across the pediatric nephrology spectrum.
This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research that uncovers the molecular foundations of pediatric kidney diseases across the developmental continuum, from nephrogenesis and the establishment of nephron architecture to disease initiation, progression, and repair. We particularly welcome studies leveraging human-relevant model systems and integrative omics approaches to dissect disease mechanisms, identify novel biomarkers, and propose new therapeutic strategies for children with kidney disease.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Molecular mechanisms of kidney development, nephron progenitor maintenance, and segment specification.
- Genetic and developmental basis of CAKUT.
- Inherited tubulopathies (e.g., Bartter, Gitelman, distal RTA, cystinosis, nephronophthisis) and disorders of tubular transport and endo-lysosomal function.
- Renal ciliopathies and polycystic kidney diseases.
- Wilms tumor and other embryonal renal neoplasms: developmental origins, cancer stem cells, and therapeutic targeting.
- Pediatric acute kidney injury: molecular biomarkers, mechanisms of injury and repair in critically ill children and neonates.
- Developmental origins of adult kidney disease: prematurity, low birth weight, CAKUT, and nephron endowment.
- Novel human-based model systems for pediatric kidney diseases.
- Single-cell, spatial, and multi-omic approaches to pediatric kidney biology and disease.
- Translational and precision medicine for pediatric kidney disorders, including drug screening platforms, gene-targeted therapies, and regenerative approaches.
I look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Naomi Pode-Shakked
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- pediatric kidney disease
- kidney development
- kidney organoids/tubuloids
- congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT)
- inherited tubulopathies
- Wilms tumor
- acute kidney injury (AKI)
- nephron progenitor cells (NPS)
- podocytes
- kidney tubules
- precision medicine
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