Molecular mechanisms of acute inflammation: systemic responses and kidney-specific pathophysiology

Inflammation is a critical immune response to tissue injury or infection, involving a cascade of molecular and cellular events. This review examines acute inflammation, focusing on the key receptors, signaling pathways, mediators, and cellular players involved in the response throughout the body. The latter part of the review narrows its focus to kidney inflammation, a vital organ often affected by both sterile and nonsterile insults. By exploring the roles of immune and nonimmune cells, this review highlights general inflammatory mechanisms and their impact on kidney-specific pathophysiology.