Therapeutic Strategies of Kidney Transplant Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: Insight From Mouse Models

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is inherent to all transplanted organs and is adversely associated with early renal graft function and graft longevity. Despite the progress in immunosuppressive regimens and perioperative care, no FDA-approved treatment for kidney transplant IRI is available to date. In recent years, by utilizing the modified and clinically-relevant mouse models of kidney transplantation (KT(x)) in which extended IRI is induced by the prolonged warm or cold ischemic time, studies have identified several potential therapeutic approaches for KT(x) IRI, including the hormone supplement, promoting tubular repair and regeneration, and targeting complement system, inflammation, and necroptosis. This review describes some of the lessons learned from mouse models of KT(x) with regard to factors that influence the severity of transplant IRI and the potential therapeutic targets.