Breaking Ground in Kidney Disease Research

Targeting the Type I Interferon Pathway in Glomerular Kidney Disease: Rationale and Therapeutic Opportunities

Dr. James Tumlin, President of NephroNet, Professor of Medicine in Nephrology at Emory University School of Medicine, Director of Research at Georgia Nephrology is proud to highlight a new publication examining the critical role of type I interferons (IFNs) in kidney disease. Type I IFNs are key immunostimulatory molecules, but when chronically activated—such as in conditions like lupus nephritis (LN) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)—they can drive persistent inflammation, tissue injury, and loss of kidney function. Genetic factors, including APOL1 risk variants, may further amplify this risk. This comprehensive review explores the mechanisms of type I IFN signaling, its contribution to kidney damage, and emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating this pathway. The article offers important insights for advancing care in immune-mediated kidney disorders.