The role of cell-cell communication in renal damage and the therapeutic targeting of diabetic kidney disease.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common chronic microvascular complication of diabetes, and the increasing number of patients with this condition imposes a great economic burden globally. The rapid development of biotechnology has revealed more in-depth pathogenic mechanisms related to the occurrence of DKD. Lots of studies have provided evidence that communication between various cell types, including podocytes, mesangial cells, glomerular endothelial cells, and renal tubular epithelial cells, plays an irreplaceable role in the development of DKD. Stem cells have the unique advantages of establishing adaptive communication with renal cells to alleviate the damage in DKD. In addition, some drugs can also affect cell communication in DKD.

Summary: This review presents a review of recent progress on renal cellular crosstalk in the pathogenesis of DKD, and the findings of the review may shed light on the development of a novel therapeutic approach from the perspective of cellular communication.

Key message: Cellular communication in DKD not only reveals the new pathogenic mechanisms, but also provides potential therapeutic targets.