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Roles of Mitochondrial DNA Damage in Kidney Diseases: A New Biomarker
Jun Feng1,2, Zhaowei Chen1,2, Wei Liang1,2
1Division of Nephrology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.
Abstract:
The kidney is a mitochondria-rich organ, and kidney diseases are recognized as mitochondria-related pathologies. Intact mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintains normal mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial dysfunction caused by mtDNA damage, including impaired mtDNA replication, mtDNA mutation, mtDNA leakage, and mtDNA methylation, is involved in the progression of kidney diseases. Herein, we review the roles of mtDNA damage in different setting of kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In a variety of kidney diseases, mtDNA damage is closely associated with loss of kidney function. The level of mtDNA in peripheral serum and urine also reflects the status of kidney injury. Alleviating mtDNA damage can promote the recovery of mitochondrial function by exogenous drug treatment and thus reduce kidney injury. In short, we conclude that mtDNA damage may serve as a novel biomarker for assessing kidney injury in different causes of renal dysfunction, which provides a new theoretical basis for mtDNA-targeted intervention as a therapeutic option for kidney diseases.
Insights
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage is linked to kidney disease progression. Targeting mtDNA damage may offer new therapeutic strategies and serve as a biomarker for renal dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Mitochondrial Biology
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- Kidney diseases are increasingly recognized as pathologies linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) integrity is crucial for normal kidney function.
- Dysfunction arises from mtDNA damage, including replication defects, mutations, leakage, and methylation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of mitochondrial DNA damage in kidney diseases.
- To explore mtDNA damage as a biomarker for kidney injury.
- To discuss therapeutic interventions targeting mtDNA damage.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on kidney diseases and mtDNA damage.
- Analysis of the association between mtDNA damage and kidney function loss.
- Evaluation of mtDNA levels in serum and urine as indicators of kidney injury.
Main Results:
- mtDNA damage is closely associated with impaired kidney function in various renal diseases.
- Levels of mtDNA in peripheral blood and urine correlate with kidney injury status.
- Alleviating mtDNA damage can restore mitochondrial function and reduce kidney injury.
Conclusions:
- mtDNA damage is implicated in the progression of acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- mtDNA can serve as a novel biomarker for assessing kidney injury.
- mtDNA-targeted interventions represent a promising therapeutic avenue for kidney diseases.
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