Renal mitochondrial injury in the pathogenesis of CKD: mtDNA and mitomiRs

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health concern that affects over 200 million people worldwide and is associated with a tremendous economic burden. Therefore, deciphering the mechanisms underpinning CKD is crucial to decelerate its progression towards end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal tubular cells are populated with a high number of mitochondria, which produce cellular energy and modulate several important cellular processes, including generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium homeostasis, proliferation, and apoptosis. Over the past few years, increasing evidence has implicated renal mitochondrial damage in the pathogenesis of common etiologies of CKD, such as diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome (MetS), chronic renal ischemia, and polycystic kidney disease (PKD). However, most compelling evidence is based on preclinical studies because renal biopsies are not routinely performed in many patients with CKD. Previous studies have shown that urinary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy numbers may serve as non-invasive biomarkers of renal mitochondrial dysfunction. Emerging data also suggest that CKD is associated with altered expression of mitochondria-related microRNAs (mitomiRs), which localize in mitochondria and regulate the expression of mtDNA and nucleus-encoded mitochondrial genes. This review summarizes relevant evidence regarding the involvement of renal mitochondrial injury and dysfunction in frequent forms of CKD. We further provide an overview of non-invasive biomarkers and potential mechanisms of renal mitochondrial damage, especially focusing on mtDNA and mitomiRs.