Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2019

A new study used genome-wide association data and Mendelian randomization to investigate associations between the gut microbiome and metabolic traits. The researchers demonstrate that host genetic variants influence levels of the short-chain fatty acids butyrate and propionate in the gut, which in turn modulate host glycaemic metabolism.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in young adults with incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Unlike children with ESRD, young adults with incident ESRD have high prevalence of diabetes, coronary artery disease and heart failure. These cardiovascular risk factors are associated with increased CVD-related hospitalizations and mortality in young adults.

The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) maintains protein homeostasis through the selective degradation of proteins. In addition to degrading short-lived and misfolded proteins, the UPS regulates a multitude of cellular processes, including gene transcription and translation, cell survival and metabolism, and inflammation. This Review provides an overview of UPS-mediated proteostasis, focusing on the involvement of the UPS in renal physiology and pathophysiology.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is caused by pathogenic mutations in the genes that encode polycystin 1 (PC1) and PC2. In this article, the authors discuss findings from structural and electrophysiological studies that give us insight into the function of polycystins and ADPKD pathogenesis.

Effective adjuvant therapies are needed to reduce the risk of recurrence of kidney cancer. Here, the authors discuss the results of adjuvant therapy trials, the potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors as adjuvant therapies and the need for multidisciplinary management of patients with resected kidney cancer.

In this Evidence-Based Guideline on X-linked hypophosphataemia, the authors identify the criteria for diagnosis of this disease, provide guidance for medical and surgical treatment and explain the challenges of follow-up.