Potential roles of cuproptosis in kidney disease

Copper homeostasis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of kidney diseases. Cuproptosis has been widely examined in the field of tumors including renal cancer. However, it is rarely reported for acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Cuproptosis related gene lipoacyltransferase 1 has shown its predictive value for IgA nephropathy. Blood copper levels became elevated in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. And copper-chelating agents could arrest renal fibrosis in animal models. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a marker of cuproptosis. Renal tubular cells are rich in mitochondria and susceptible to injuries of reactive oxygen species. A high expression of copper transporters plays an important role in drug uptake and transport. Summarizing the latest researches of cuproptosis in kidney diseases, this review focused upon a potential correlation between cuproptosis and AKI and provided novel therapeutics for kidney diseases.