Research advances of macrophages in acute kidney injury based upon molecular biology

Because of its high incidence rate, high mortality and high medical expense, acute kidney injury (AKI) has become a global public health problem. Macrophages play a key role in the pathogenesis of AKI. Under the stimulation of microenvironment disorder, macrophages are activated into two phenotypes of classic activated (M1) and alternative activated (M2). Both participate in inflammatory reaction and tissue repair in kidney. The mechanism of macrophages is rather complex in AKI. This review summarized the signal pathways and cytokines related to this process. It was intended to enhance the mechanistic understanding of AKI and provide theoretical rationales for searching for new therapeutic targets for AKI.