The Microbiome and Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major clinical problem in native and transplanted kidneys. Bidirectional interaction between gut microbiota and kidney tissue or the "colo-renal" system is being recognized as an important modulating factor in AKI. Gut microbes appear to have a complex but yet poorly understood communication with renal cellular and molecular processes that affect normal kidney function and response to injury. There have been major recent advances in the study of the microbiome that provide an opportunity to apply this knowledge to improve our understanding and treatment of patients with AKI. This mini-review aims to focus on select general concepts about the microbiome, mechanisms by which the microbiome can modify kidney function, and data on microbiome and AKI. We have briefly touched on a few topics rather than comprehensively reviewing the role of microbiome in kidney diseases. We also propose future gut microbiota-AKI studies based on advances in gut microbiota studies in other human diseases and experimental models.