Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant clinical problem which can occur within hours or up to a few days and consists of a sudden onset of kidney damage that leads to organ failure, inappropriate fluid balance in the body, and multiple subsequent medical issues. Continuous research for further understanding of the mechanisms, causes, and other organ effects of AKI is important and valuable to both the medical community as well as the patient population for which this research is directed. Bridging the gap in our knowledge of this disorder requires bringing together not only the technical resources for research but also the investigators currently endeavoring to expand our knowledge and those who might bring novel ideas and expertise to this important challenge. This issue summarizes the proceedings of the 12th Annual Symposium that was sponsored by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) – University of California San Diego (UCSD) O’Brien Center for Acute Kidney Injury Research and held during the 27th Annual Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) Conference in San Diego, California on March 7, 2022.

The overall goal of this symposium continues to allow for a comprehensive review of the most recent developments in the study of AKI and elucidate some of the emerging knowledge from those covering the spectrum of basic to translational research. The meeting included 20 invited speakers from around the world, and participants were in attendance as well as virtually. The symposium had four sessions: (1) Molecules, mechanisms, and targets; (2) Of mice and man: Harmonizing human and animal AKI; (3) Bench to bedside: Translating discoveries to clinical care; (4) Controversies in AKI. Presenters in the first session discussed myeloid response, histone deacetylases in kidney physiology, lymphangiogenesis and their importance in AKI as well as mitochondrial pathology after AKI, the implications for recovery, bioenergetics and metabolism in AKI. During the second session, novel studies of AKI in mice were shown in coordination to the human condition, and presenters in this session discussed the role of bacterial quorum sensing signaling, fatty acid oxidation, aerobic glycolysis and epithelial dedifferentiation in sepsis-AKI, the relation between AKI and diastolic dysfunction, and new discoveries into drug toxicity in AKI. For the next sessions, discussions were focused on how to translate discoveries to clinical care and issues in the treatment and understanding of AKI. New results were reported involving new biomarkers; new uses for cells, proteins, and regions in furthering research and therapeutics; as well as COVID and AKI. Also discussed were metrics, how some techniques may lead to development of AKI, and pregnancy and AKI.

The UAB-UCSD O’Brien Center has taken a key role in the development and availability of scientific and clinical data resources for investigators performing AKI-related research. The center is involved in identifying research trends; emerging technologies; and assisting in the pursuit of opportunities through enhanced core resources, training on techniques, and adding to the educational opportunities available by creating and support workshops and symposia. The proceedings from this symposium provide a unique assembly of information and developments in the field of AKI research that we anticipate will stimulate further interest in exploring the causes and mechanisms of disease development, treatment and outcomes, and follow-up of those affected with AKI.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

No funds were received for the manuscript.

M.V. conceived and prepared the manuscript.

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