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Updated: Aug 20, 2025

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
Published on: May 2, 2025
Role of renal tubular programed cell death in diabetic kidney disease
Xiaojun Zhou1,2, Chunmei Xu3,4,5, Jianjun Dong6
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Institute of Nephrology, Jinan, China.
Abstract:
The pathogenic mechanism of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is involved in various functions; however, its inadequate characterisation limits the availability of effective treatments. Tubular damage is closely correlated with renal function and is thought to be the main contributor to the injury observed in early DKD. Programed cell death (PCD) occurs during the biological development of the living body. Accumulating evidence has clarified the fundamental role of abnormalities in tubular PCD during DKD pathogenesis. Among PCD types, classical apoptosis, autophagic cell death, and pyroptosis are the most studied and will be the focus of this review. Our review aims to elucidate the current knowledge of the mechanism of DKD and the potential therapeutic potential of drugs targeting tubular PCD pathways in DKD.
Insights
Diabetic kidney disease involves tubular damage and programmed cell death (PCD). Targeting tubular PCD pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for diabetic kidney disease treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) pathogenesis is complex, with tubular damage being a key factor in early renal dysfunction.
- Programmed cell death (PCD) abnormalities in renal tubules are increasingly recognized as crucial in DKD development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of DKD mechanisms, focusing on tubular PCD.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting tubular PCD pathways in DKD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis in DKD.
- Analysis of studies investigating the role of tubular cell death in DKD pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Tubular damage and altered PCD are central to early DKD.
- Apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis are significant PCD pathways implicated in DKD.
Conclusions:
- Understanding tubular PCD mechanisms is vital for DKD treatment.
- Targeting specific PCD pathways presents a promising therapeutic avenue for managing diabetic kidney disease.
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