The role of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in chronic kidney disease

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) encompasses conditions like glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy, marked by kidney structural damage and functional decline.
• Current CKD treatments focus on symptom management, lacking disease-modifying therapies.
• The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway is implicated in CKD pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in CKD-related inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
• To summarize current evidence on targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway for CKD treatment.
• To identify research gaps and challenges in developing PI3K/Akt-targeted CKD therapies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating the PI3K/Akt pathway in CKD.
• Analysis of preclinical and clinical data on PI3K/Akt modulators in CKD models.
• Synthesis of information on the pathway's involvement in key pathological processes.

Main Results:

• The PI3K/Akt pathway significantly influences inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and EMT in CKD.
• Inhibiting or activating specific components of the PI3K/Akt pathway can ameliorate kidney damage.
• Emerging therapeutic strategies focus on modulating this pathway for CKD treatment.

Conclusions:

• The PI3K/Akt pathway is a critical regulator of CKD progression and a potential therapeutic target.
• Further research is needed to overcome challenges in translating PI3K/Akt-targeted therapies into clinical practice for CKD.
• Developing effective CKD treatments requires a deeper understanding of PI3K/Akt pathway modulation.