About this Research Topic
As Diabetes mellitus becomes more prevalent, so do its associated complications with nephropathy, estimated to affect almost 40% of diabetic patients. Diabetic Nephropathy, or Diabetic Kidney Disease, refers to the deterioration of kidney functioning in patients affected by type 1 and type 2 diabetes. To date, diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of kidney failure, and the single highest cause of diabetic mortality.
Nevertheless, research has yet to reveal a definitive mechanism for the association between hyperglycemia and damage to the kidneys. Through this topic, the heterogeneity of diabetic nephropathy eitology and the underlying molecular mechanisms will be explored. To this end, genetic and epigenetic factors associated with nephropathy will be considered as well as the role of oxidative stress and ferroptosis. Also pertinent to this topic, is how the oxidative-stress pathway can be modulated to prevent or reverse diabetic nephropathy. Additionally, a special focus will be given to early biomarkers that can lead to better understanding and early detection of the disease are of great interest.
In this Research Topic, we aim to gather manuscripts in the form of original research and reviews that contribute to the new findings on the molecular basis of the disease. We welcome submissions focusing but not limited to:
• Understanding the heterogeneity of diabetic nephropathy etiology and gene expression, including the use of single-cell sequencing dynamics
• The regulatory role of Long-coding RNA and MircoRNA in diabetic nephropathy
• Transcription factors and other molecular modulators in the aggravation of the disease pathogenesis
• The association between oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial damage with renal injury
• Ferroptosis and its association with diabetic nephropathy
• The understanding of inhibitors such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists in renoprotection
• The controversies of protein restriction diet in patients with diabetic nephropathy and sarcopenia
• Research into the predictors of nephropathy, including the use of histology
• Identification of circulatory or urine specific diabetic nephropathy biomarkers, especially markers with the ability to distinguish early kidney damage.
Keywords: Diabetic Nephropathy, Diabetic Kidney Disease, Diabetes, Molecular Mechanisms
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.