Single-cell transcriptomics: A new tool for studying diabetic kidney disease

The kidney is a complex organ comprising various functional partitions and special cell types that play important roles in maintaining homeostasis in the body. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Owing to the complexity and heterogeneity of kidney structure and function, the mechanism of DKD development has not been fully elucidated. Single-cell sequencing, including transcriptomics, epigenetics, metabolomics, and proteomics etc., is a powerful technology that enables the analysis of specific cell types and states, specifically expressed genes or pathways, cell differentiation trajectories, intercellular communication, and regulation or co-expression of genes in various diseases. Compared with other omics, RNA sequencing is a more developed technique with higher utilization of tissues or samples. This article reviewed the application of single-cell transcriptomics in the field of DKD and highlighted the key signaling pathways in specific tissues or cell types involved in the occurrence and development of DKD. The comprehensive understanding of single-cell transcriptomics through single-cell RNA-seq and single-nucleus RNA-seq will provide us new insights into the pathogenesis and treatment strategy of various diseases including DKD.