Pannexin channels in the kidney.

Renal dysfunction leads to critical health conditions, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and is a driver of hypertension. Despite their global prevalence and impact, the pathophysiology for all kidney disease subtypes is incompletely understood; therefore, many patients progress to kidney failure, needing dialysis and transplantation. This review highlights the role of pannexins-a family of channel-forming glycoproteins-in renal physiology and pathophysiology. Compared with other organ systems such as the brain and cardiovascular system, relatively little is known about the function of pannexins in the kidney. However, recent findings indicate that pannexins may be potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of hypertension, AKI, and CKD, though further research is needed to fully understand their precise role in renal health and disease.