IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is thought to result from multiple hits that culminate in immune complex deposition in the kidney. Here, the authors describe the latest insights into the pathogenesis of IgAN and how they have revealed novel therapeutic targets and approaches to this disease.

The kidney has an important role in the handling of amino acids, facilitated by a complex network of kidney transporters and enzymes. This Review provides an overview of the role of the kidney in the synthesis, degradation, filtration, reabsorption and excretion of different amino acids and the relevance of these functions in the context of kidney physiology and disease.

Hyaluronan is a critical component of the extracellular matrix, with key roles in tissue homeostasis, cellular signalling and immune responses. Here, the authors describe the roles of hyaluronan in kidney development, adult kidney physiology and kidney disease.

In this Review, the authors examine advances in uromodulin biology, including the existence of non-polymeric forms of the protein, its versatile functions, crosstalk with the immune system, its potential as a biomarker and its role in kidney disease, as well as considering how uromodulin might be targeted therapeutically.