Preface

Renal dysfunction includes a wide range of diseases affecting kidney function. But what are the common factors in development and disease progression? What do we know so far? and what are the most recent discoveries in this matter? One thing we know is that the common outcome is chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, and finally the need for a transplant.

The kidney is a multifaceted organ, with its main function being the removal of excess water and toxins from the body as urine. Among the other functions are, the production of hormones, the regulation of fluid and mineral levels, the production of vitamin D, the regulation of blood pressure and the maintenance of the acid-base balance. Structured by a complex network of cellular interactions such as mesangial, parietals, podocytes and endothelial cells. Thus, any imbalance in whichever of their functions will have a detrimental effect on the systemic physiology.

Also, kidney failure can reach other organs, such as the heart, circulatory system, mineral balance, bones, muscles and joints, the gastrointestinal system as well as the immune system, at least in part through the suggested crosstalk between renal dendritic cells and T cells as suggested by some authors, causing maintained systemic inflammation and immunodeficiency.

Lately, new available approaches like the next generation sequencing, microbiota analysis, and epigenetics, are contributing to novel perspectives on physiological and pathological conditions of the kidney.

This e-book aims to address the current studies in kidney diseases, from basics to clinic, and from environmental factors to genetics, integrating the convoluted systems involved in kidney disease.