Korean J Intern Med.  2022 May;37(3):534-550. 10.3904/kjim.2021.526.

Role of T cells in ischemic acute kidney injury and repair

• Lee K
• Jang HR

• KMID: 2529651
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2021.526

Abstract

Ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common medical problem with significant mortality and morbidity, affecting a large number of patients globally. Ischemic AKI is associated with intrarenal inflammation as well as systemic inflammation; thus, the innate and adaptive immune systems are implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemic AKI. Among various intrarenal immune cells, T cells play major roles in the injury process and in the repair mechanism affecting AKI to chronic kidney disease transition. Importantly, T cells also participate in distant organ crosstalk during AKI, which affects the overall outcomes. Therefore, targeting T cell-mediated pathways and T cell-based therapies have therapeutic promise for ischemic AKI. Here, we review the major populations of kidney T cells and their roles in ischemic AKI.

Keyword

Ischemia; T-lymphocytes; Inflammation; Acute kidney injury; Reperfusion injury