Building kidney organoids from pluripotent stem cells
Purpose of review During embryogenesis, the kidney is mainly generated from three progenitor cells; nephron progenitors, ureteric bud progenitors and stromal progenitors. Mutual interactions of the all three progenitor populations are essential to form a functional kidney with the higher-order structure. Pluripotent stem cells have potential to differentiate into all cell types of the animal body, including the kidney. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in reconstructing kidney organoids from pluripotent stem cells. Recent findings In the past years, major advances were reported to induce nephron ...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: RENAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Edited by Orson W. Moe and Susan E. Quaggin Source Type: research

When a calorie isn’t just a calorie: a revised look at nutrition in critically ill patients with sepsis and acute kidney injury
Purpose of review To discuss how nutritional management could be optimized to promote protective metabolism in sepsis and associated acute kidney injury. Recent findings Recent evidence suggests that sepsis is a metabolically distinct critical illness and that certain metabolic alterations, such as activation of fasting metabolism, may be protective in bacterial sepsis. These findings may explain the lack of survival benefit in recent randomized controlled trials of nutrition therapy for critical illness. These trials are limited by cohort heterogeneity, combining both septic and nonseptic critical illness, and ...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: RENAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Edited by Orson W. Moe and Susan E. Quaggin Source Type: research

Revisiting the relationship between (Pro)Renin receptor and the intrarenal RAS: focus on the soluble receptor
Purpose of review The (pro)renin receptor (PRR), also termed as ATPase H+ transporting accessory protein 2 (ATP6AP2), was originally cloned as a specific receptor for prorenin and renin [together called (pro)renin]. Given the wide tissue distribution of PRR, PRR was further postulated to act as a regulator of tissue renin. However, assigning a physiological role of PRR within the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been challenging largely due to its pleotropic functions in regulation of embryogenesis, autophagy, and H+ transport. The current review will summarize recent advances in understanding the roles of sPPR withi...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: RENAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Edited by Orson W. Moe and Susan E. Quaggin Source Type: research

New therapeutics for primary hyperoxaluria type 1
Purpose of review Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare genetic disorder that causes hepatic overproduction of oxalate and, often, nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure. The purpose of the review is to provide an update on current emerging therapies for the treatment of PH1. Recent findings Use of ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) therapeutics that target the liver to block production of key enzymes along pathways that generate oxalate is a promising approach. Available evidence supports the efficacy of both Lumasiran (targeting glycolate oxidase) and Nedosiran (...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: MINERAL METABOLISM: Edited by Aline Martin and Tamara Isakova Source Type: research

Lessons from effect of etelcalcetide on left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with end-stage kidney disease
Purpose of review Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) frequently develop left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which is associated with an exceptionally high risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. This review focuses on interventional studies that modify levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and examine effects on myocardial hypertrophy, cardiovascular events and mortality. Recent findings Quantitative evaluations of trials of calcimimetics found no effects on cardiovascular events and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality when compared with placebo. However, a recent randomized, controlle...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: MINERAL METABOLISM: Edited by Aline Martin and Tamara Isakova Source Type: research

Clinical utility of bone turnover markers in patients with chronic kidney disease
Purpose of review The burden of fractures is very high in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is increasingly recognized that knowledge of bone turnover is of paramount importance in guiding mineral metabolism and osteoporosis therapy in CKD. Bone histomorphometry is the gold standard to assess bone turnover, but is seldomly performed in clinical practice. Bone turnover markers (BTMs) may be the long awaited noninvasive diagnostic that may help to close the therapeutic gap in patients with advanced CKD presenting with bone fragility. Recent findings Mounting evidence indicates that BTMs may be useful ...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: MINERAL METABOLISM: Edited by Aline Martin and Tamara Isakova Source Type: research

Phosphate balance during dialysis and after kidney transplantation in patients with chronic kidney disease
Purpose of review In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperphosphatemia is associated with several adverse outcomes, including bone fragility and progression of kidney and cardiovascular disease. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding phosphate balance in CKD. This review explores its current state, depending on the stage of CKD, dialysis modalities, and the influence of kidney transplantation. Recent findings Adequate phosphate control is one of the goals of treatment for CKD-mineral and bone disorder. However, ongoing studies are challenging the benefits of phosphate-lowering treatment. Neverth...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: MINERAL METABOLISM: Edited by Aline Martin and Tamara Isakova Source Type: research

Anemia and fibroblast growth factor 23 elevation in chronic kidney disease: homeostatic interactions and emerging therapeutics
Purpose of review Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disorder that is associated with development of elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels and anemia. Here, we review recent literature that extends our current knowledge on the interactions between FGF23 and anemia in CKD and the impact of anemia-targeting therapeutics on FGF23 elevation in CKD. Recent findings The anemia of CKD is primarily driven by a lack of erythropoietin (EPO) and iron deficiency. In addition to EPO and iron replacement, novel drug classes to treat anemia have been approved or are in clinical development. A recent ob...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: MINERAL METABOLISM: Edited by Aline Martin and Tamara Isakova Source Type: research

Lipocalin-2: a novel link between the injured kidney and the bone
Purpose of review Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) excess is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and early mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in animal models. Elevated Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), produced by the injured kidneys, contributes to CKD progression and might aggravate cardiovascular outcomes. The current review aims to highlight the role of LCN2 in CKD, particularly its interactions with FGF23. Recent findings Inflammation, disordered iron homeostasis and altered metabolic activity are common complications of CKD, and are associated with elevated levels of kidney-pr...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: MINERAL METABOLISM: Edited by Aline Martin and Tamara Isakova Source Type: research

Contribution of phosphate and FGF23 to CKD progression
Purpose of review Progressive forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) exhibit kidney inflammation and fibrosis that drive continued nephron loss; however, factors responsible for the development of these common pathologic features remain poorly defined. Recent investigations suggest pathways involved in maintaining urinary phosphate excretion in CKD may be contributing to kidney function decline. This review provides an update on recent evidence linking altered phosphate homeostasis to CKD progression. Recent findings High dietary phosphate intake and increased serum concentrations of fibroblast growth factor 23 (...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: MINERAL METABOLISM: Edited by Aline Martin and Tamara Isakova Source Type: research

Editorial: Narrow the gap, build a bridge: an inspirational approach to chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension)
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: MINERAL METABOLISM: Edited by Aline Martin and Tamara Isakova Source Type: research

Editorial introductions
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension)
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - June 27, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: EDITORIAL INTRODUCTIONS Source Type: research

Contemporary risk prediction models in chronic kidney disease: when less is more
Purpose of review Clinicians have an ever-increasing number of prediction tools at their disposal for estimating the risk of kidney failure in their patients. This review aims to summarize contemporary evidence for chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk prediction models across the spectrum of kidney function, and explore nuances in the interpretation of risk estimates. Recent findings A European study using predominantly laboratory data has extended kidney failure prediction to patients with more preserved estimated glomerular filtration rate. For older patients with advanced CKD, prediction tools that censor for de...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - April 23, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION: Edited by Navdeep Tangri Source Type: research

Non calcium phosphate binders - Is there any evidence of benefit
Purpose of review Low-level evidence and opinion-based clinical practice guidelines highlight the substantial uncertainty in the practice patterns of hyperphosphatemia management in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This manuscript reviews the evidence for the choice of phosphate binders and its impact on clinical outcomes. Recent findings Phosphate binders are among the most common medications prescribed for patients on dialysis. Clinical practice guidelines recommend lowering phosphate levels toward normal range and restricting calcium-based binders in all CKD patients. There is substantial gap in th...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - April 23, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION: Edited by Navdeep Tangri Source Type: research

Role of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and management of kidney disease: applications to chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury
Purpose of review Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) are global public health problems associated with a significant burden of morbidity, healthcare resource use, and all-cause mortality. This review explores recently published studies that take a machine learning approach to the diagnosis, management, and prognostication in patients with AKI or CKD. Recent findings The release of novel therapeutics for CKD has highlighted the importance of accurately identifying patients at the highest risk of progression. Many models have been constructed with reasonable predictive accuracy but have not...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - April 23, 2022 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION: Edited by Navdeep Tangri Source Type: research