New insights into kidney crosstalk with distant organs

Inter-organ interactions are critical for homeostasis and proper organ functioning. Several studies published in 2024 have provided insights into the mechanisms underlying reciprocal interactions of the kidney with the brain, gut and liver.

Key advances

• Microglial potassium efflux via the calcium-dependent channel K_Ca3.1 promotes the microglial release of IL-1β and IL-1β receptor 1-mediated neuronal dysfunction in chronic kidney disease, highlighting the importance of kidney–brain crosstalk³

• Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) contribute to kidney fibrosis following their migration from the small intestine to the kidney via a CXCR6–CXCL16 signalling axis. In the kidney, PD-1 expressed on ILC3s mediates the IL-17A-induced activation of fibroblasts by inhibiting IL-23R endocytosis, thereby amplifying IL-23-induced JAK2–STAT3–RORγt–IL-17A signalling in ILC3s, highlighting the importance of kidney–gut crosstalk⁵.

• Mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis develop progressive glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis through mechanisms that involve mitochondrial dysfunction, lipid metabolism and insulin signalling pathways in the kidney, highlighting the importance of liver–kidney crosstalk⁶