Diabetic nephropathy articles from across Nature Portfolio

Several new drug classes have been demonstrated to improve kidney outcomes in people with diabetes mellitus. Here, the authors examine the evidence for the efficacy and safety of combination treatment to reduce the progression of diabetic kidney disease.

Mitochondrial Ndufs4, a subunit of complex I, is a regulator of the electron transport chain. Here, the authors show that forced expression of Ndufs4 in podocytes improves the assembly of respiratory supercomplexes, maintains cristae integrity, and mitigates the progression of diabetic kidney disease

The theme of World Kidney Day 2024 is “kidney health for all — advancing equitable access to care and optimal medication practice”. To mark this event, Nature Reviews Nephrology invited five researchers from different geographical regions worldwide to discuss the impact of new and emerging therapies for diabetic kidney disease on patient care as well as the barriers that must be overcome to ensure equitable access to these therapies.

Poor renal distribution of antibody-based drugs limits the treatment efficiency for diabetic nephropathy and causes side effects. Here, the authors prepare an antibody fragment drug conjugate, antiVEGFR2 F(ab′)2-SS31, improving renal distribution and meriting drug validation in diabetic nephropathy therapy.

New clinical studies suggest that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy can have positive clinical effects, potentially via immunomodulation, in patients with diabetic nephropathy or nephrotic syndrome. These trials suggest that the therapy is safe, but adverse reactions highlight the need to examine the source and functional attributes of MSCs closely.