Targeting programmed cell death pathways: emerging therapeutic strategies for diabetic kidney disease

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Cell Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major cause of kidney failure with unclear pathogenesis.
• Abnormal programmed cell death (PCD) in renal cells is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in DKD progression.
• Key PCD types implicated include apoptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy in podocytes, tubular epithelial cells, and mesangial cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of four major PCD pathways in DKD.
• To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting PCD in DKD treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of programmed cell death in diabetic kidney disease.
• Analysis of therapeutic agents targeting PCD pathways.

Main Results:

• Abnormal PCD significantly contributes to DKD pathogenesis in intrinsic renal cells.
• Emerging therapies like SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP1 receptor agonists, and DPP4 inhibitors show efficacy in modulating PCD in DKD.
• Traditional Chinese medicines also demonstrate potential in improving renal cell PCD.

Conclusions:

• Targeting PCD signaling pathways represents a promising therapeutic strategy for DKD.
• Further research into novel agents and mechanisms modulating PCD is warranted for effective DKD treatment.