Mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney diseases

The kidney is one of the most metabolically active organs and contains several different cell types that work in varied and dynamic macro- and microenvironments. This high compartmentalization reflects the organ’s structural characteristics, which are dictated by the important functions of blood filtration, electrolyte regulation, and fluid balance. As a result, energy demands within different renal cells are extremely tailored to the specific cellular functions. Cellular energy demands are largely met by mitochondria and, as such, the mitochondrion is uniquely intertwined with kidney function. This organelle is the powerhouse of the cell, and it provides for the high demand of adenosine triphosphate in the kidney, but it has become increasingly apparent that energy production is only one of the many important functions that the mitochondria play within different renal cells. Placement of mitochondria as the central hub of a multitude of cellular processes underlies why there has been so much current interest in this organelle’s role in health and disease. Indeed, mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with almost all types of kidney diseases and is a growing area of current research. In this chapter, we attempt to cover this very broad topic by highlighting the most recent findings describing the role of mitochondria in kidney homeostasis and disease condition. In particular, we describe how mitochondria are distributed in the kidney and influence cellular specification, as well as the different functions within specific renal cell types. Additionally, we describe the main process regulating mitochondrial homeostasis, including mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, trafficking, and disposal, and how these processes may be involved in the initiation and progression of kidney diseases. Lastly, we have mentioned how noncoding RNA molecules and one-carbon metabolism may impact mitochondria.