Work

Dysregulated ferritin and iron homeostasis in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Ferritin dysregulation in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) reveals a novel disease mechanism. Although ferritin heavy chain deletion does not affect cyst growth, polycystic kidney disease (PKD) kidneys show compensatory ferritin light chain upregulation and abnormal ferritin trafficking. Iron-loaded ferritin accumulates in macrophage-rich regions, increasing oxidative stress and fibrosis. Enhanced ferritin uptake and receptor dysregulation in cystic epithelial cells highlight disrupted iron homeostasis as a previously unrecognized contributor to ADPKD progression.

Source: American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology

DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00106.2026

Authors: Nicole Sommer, Sagine Placide, Elizabeth Weatherly, Wei Wang, Rahima Begum, Mackenzie Dunfield, Siraj Singh, Christopher J. Ward, Pamela V. Tran, Subhashini Bolisetty, Darren P. Wallace, Madhulika Sharma

Institutions: University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Language: English

Topic: Genetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: U.S. Department of Defense, PKD Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases

Awards: G2931106538, G4012805929, G6390080615, G8630316905, Molecular Regulation of Cell Development and Differentiation Phase III COBRE, Functional Significance of Ferritin Light Chain in Sepsis-associated Kidney Injury, Kansas PKD Research and Translation Core Center

OpenAlex ID: W7202097644

FWCI:

Cites: 56

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Related to: 10