AUTHOR=Zhao Yunlong , Zhuang Yong , Shi Jie , Fan Haojun , Lv Qi , Guo Xiaoqin 

TITLE=Cathepsin B induces kidney diseases through different types of programmed cell death

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1535313

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2025.1535313

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=Cathepsin B (CTSB), a key cysteine protease, plays essential roles in physiological and pathological processes. As research progresses, interest in how CTSB triggers different types of programmed cell death (PCD) to induce the onset and development of diseases is increasing. Several recent studies suggest that different types of PCD mediated by CTSB play key roles in kidney diseases. In this review, we outline the fundamental mechanisms by which CTSB triggers different types of PCD in several kidney diseases and discuss the function of CTSB in various segments of the kidney. Moreover, we explore the possibilities and prospects of using CTSB as a therapeutic target for kidney diseases.