Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2025

A Large Animal Model for Acute Kidney Injury by Temporary Bilateral Renal Artery Occlusion
Published on: February 2, 2021
The complement system in pediatric acute kidney injury
Erin K Stenson1, Jessica Kendrick2, Bradley Dixon3
1Section of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13121 E 17th Avenue, MS8414, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. Erin.stenson@childrenscolorado.org.
Insights
The complement system, crucial for innate immunity, also drives kidney diseases. Targeting complement may offer new treatments for pediatric acute kidney injury (AKI).
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nephrology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- The complement cascade is a key component of the innate immune system.
- Uncontrolled complement activation is implicated in rare pediatric kidney diseases like atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and C3 glomerulopathy.
- Emerging evidence links complement activation to the pathogenesis of common kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury (AKI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for complement system activation in pediatric patients with AKI.
- To explore the role of complement proteins as potential biomarkers in AKI.
- To discuss complement proteins as therapeutic targets for AKI.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating complement activation in pediatric AKI.
- Analysis of existing data on complement proteins in kidney disease pathogenesis.
- Examination of current and developing complement-targeted therapeutics.
Main Results:
- The complement system is demonstrably activated in pediatric patients experiencing AKI.
- Specific complement proteins show potential as reliable biomarkers for AKI diagnosis and prognosis.
- Complement pathways are viable targets for novel therapeutic interventions in AKI.
Conclusions:
- Complement activation plays a significant role in the development and progression of pediatric AKI.
- Complement-targeted therapies hold promise for preventing and treating AKI in children.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of complement inhibition in AKI.
Abstract:
The complement cascade is an important part of the innate immune system. In addition to helping the body to eliminate pathogens, however, complement activation also contributes to the pathogenesis of a wide range of kidney diseases. Recent work has revealed that uncontrolled complement activation is the key driver of several rare kidney diseases in children, including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and C3 glomerulopathy. In addition, a growing body of literature has implicated complement in the pathogenesis of more common kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury (AKI). Complement-targeted therapeutics are in use for a variety of diseases, and an increasing number of therapeutic agents are under development. With the implication of complement in the pathogenesis of AKI, complement-targeted therapeutics could be trialed to prevent or treat this condition. In this review, we discuss the evidence that the complement system is activated in pediatric patients with AKI, and we review the role of complement proteins as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in patients with AKI.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction
Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care
Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
Acute Kidney Injury VI: Nursing Management

