Renal lymphangiogenesis and function: the paradox between drainage and fibrosis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv12n8-038Keywords:
renal lymphatic system, lymphangiogenesis, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, kidney transplantation, inflammation, renal fibrosisAbstract
The lymphatic system is an essential component of tissue homeostasis, acting in the drainage of interstitial fluids, the transport of macromolecules, and the regulation of the immune response in various organs, including the kidneys. There is growing evidence of the role, relevance, and importance of the renal lymphatic system in the pathophysiology of kidney diseases, especially inflammatory processes, edema, fibrosis, and tissue remodeling. The aim of this study is to gain a thorough understanding of lymphangiogenesis, the renal lymphatic system, and the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate this response. This study will conduct a narrative literature review, based on evidence from experimental studies in animal models and clinical and observational studies in humans, focusing on the interaction between the renal lymphatic system, lymphangiogenesis, and renal function in different pathological contexts. Publications indexed in the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) databases, published between 2020 and 2025, in English and Portuguese, with full text available, will be selected. The renal lymphatic system is consolidated as a central component in the pathophysiology of kidney diseases, playing a dynamic role at the intersection between inflammation, structural remodeling, and renal function. Thus, a deeper understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate this response may pave the way for more targeted therapies capable of preserving renal function, delaying the progression of fibrosis, and improving clinical outcomes in AKI, CKD, and kidney transplantation.
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