Kidney disease is a leading cause of death worldwide and is increasingly recognized as a global health problem. The kidneys are a frequent target of systemic immune and autoimmune disorders, including systemic autoimmunity and vasculitis, immune complex-related serum sickness, and complement disorders. The complex regulation between the immune system and inflammation plays a key role in the progression of kidney disease, especially in immune-related nephropathy. Cytokines released by monocytes/macrophages, including IL-17, INF-γ, TNF, and IL-6, exacerbate renal dysfunction and injury. M1 pro-inflammatory cells help to clear infections but can also promote renal injury and lead to renal fibrosis. Loss of immune homeostasis can exacerbate the adverse effects of inflammation on the kidney and lead to loss of renal function. Therefore, further understanding of immune dysregulation and inflammatory responses has the potential to develop innovative, paradigm-shifting strategies for the treatment of kidney disease. The development of novel computational tools and genomic data analysis are accelerating our understanding of the crosstalk of immunity and inflammation in kidney disease. The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a forum to explore potential and effective therapeutic targets by focusing on the role of regulatory mechanisms of immunity and inflammation in renal disease. We aim to elucidate the possible biological mechanisms of immunity and inflammation in the pathogenesis of kidney disease. We welcome submissions of Original Research and Review articles, including but not limited to the following: (1) The role of immune regulation of inflammation in immune-related nephropathy. (2) Mechanisms of immune and inflammatory interactions in hypertensive nephropathy. (3) Emerging novel cytokines and immune markers in the diagnosis and prognosis of membranous nephropathy. (4) Pathogenetic mechanism of inflammation in chronic kidney disease. (5) Influence of chemokines and chemokine receptors on inflammation in kidney disease.

This Research Topic is the second volume of the “New Insights in Sepsis Pathogenesis and Renal Dysfunction: Immune Mechanisms and Novel Management Strategies” Community Series. Please see the first volume here. Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to an active infectious process in the host; the symptoms are mainly produced by host defense systems rather than by the invading pathogens, involving pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes. The association of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and sepsis ranges from 45% to 70% of cases, with a significantly increased risk of death, progression toward chronic kidney disease and increased health resource utilization. Despite relevant therapeutic advances, sepsis-related AKI remains associated with an unacceptably high morbidity/mortality risk, increased health resource utilization, as well as - in survivors - with increased risk of transition to chronic kidney disease. Currently there are no approved treatments for sepsis-related AKI. The main objective of this research topic is to shed new light on sepsis pathogenesis and provide new potential therapeutic strategies to prevent the progression to AKI.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is still associated with high morbidity and mortality incidence rates, and also bears an elevated risk of subsequent chronic kidney disease. Although the kidney has a remarkable capacity for regeneration after injury and may recover completely depending on the type of renal lesions, the options for clinical intervention are restricted to fluid management and extracorporeal kidney support. The development of novel therapies to prevent AKI, to improve renal regeneration capacity after AKI, and to preserve renal function is urgently needed. The Special Issue covers research articles that investigated the molecular mechanisms of inflammation and injury during different renal pathologies, renal regeneration, diagnostics using new biomarkers, and the effects of different stimuli like medication or bacterial components on isolated renal cells or in vivo models. The Special Issue contains important reviews that consider the current knowledge of cell death and regeneration, inflammation, and the molecular mechanisms of kidney diseases. In addition, the potential of cell-based therapy approaches that use mesenchymal stromal/stem cells or their derivates is summarized. This edition is complemented by reviews that deal with the current data situation on other specific topics like diabetes and diabetic nephropathy or new therapeutic targets.

Based on the Oxford Textbook of Clinical Nephrology and companion to the Oxford Handbook of Dialysis, this handbook provides clear information and practical advice about the day-to-day management of patients with renal disease.

This book systemically presents the latest research on renal fibrosis, covering all the major topics in the field, including the possible mechanisms, biomarkers, and strategies for prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Due to its high prevalence, CKD represents a huge global economic and social burden. Irrespective of the initial causes, CKD progresses to end stage kidney disease (ESKD) due to renal fibrosis, which is characterized by glomerulosclerosis, tubule atrophy and atresia, and the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the kidney. Unfortunately, an estimated 1%-2% of the adult population living with CKD will need renal replacement therapy at some point as a result of ESKD. As such, strategies for preventing or slowing CKD progression to ESKD are of utmost importance, and studies aiming to understand the mechanisms of renal fibrosis have been the focus of intensive research. Recently, novel insights into the pathophysiological processes have furthered our understanding of the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis, and more importantly, promoted studies on the early diagnosis and treatment of CKD. This book draws lessons from the extensive, state-of-the-art research in this field, elaborating the new theories and new techniques to offer readers a detailed and comprehensive understanding of renal fibrosis and as well as inspiration for future research directions.