Immunological mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies for sepsis‑associated acute kidney injury (Review)

Sepsis is a life‑threatening clinical syndrome characterized by a dysregulated host immune response to infection, with its pathogenesis closely linked to the aberrant activation and dysfunction of various immune cells. The kidney is among the most vulnerable organs in sepsis. The development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in sepsis, referred to as sepsis‑associated AKI (SA‑AKI), is often associated with significantly increased mortality. Despite its clinical impact, specific and effective therapies for SA‑AKI remain scarce. Increasing evidence highlights that complex intrarenal inflammatory processes, primarily driven by diverse immune cell populations, are central to the onset and progression of SA‑AKI. The present review provides a comprehensive analysis of the roles of both innate and adaptive immune cells, such as macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, natural killer T (NKT) cells, B cells and T cells, in SA‑AKI and explores potential therapeutic strategies, offering a theoretical foundation and insights for the development of more effective prevention and treatment approaches.