New research from the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE). This summary is based on a paper published in the Clinical Kidney Journal on May 13, 2025, titled "Elevated exposure to air pollutants accelerates primary glomerular disease progression."

Read the paper here. 

Learn more about NEPTUNE. 

Transcript: 

New research from the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE), a research group of the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network.

Exploring the Relationship Between Air Pollution and Primary Glomerular Diseases. 

This summary is based on a paper published in the Clinical Kidney Journal on May 13, 2025.  Primary glomerular diseases are a group of conditions that affect kidney function by attacking the glomeruli, which are kidney structures responsible for filtering the blood and removing waste in urine. Recent studies suggest that air pollution contributes to the onset and progression of chronic kidney disease and, specifically, glomerular disease. 

In this review, researchers summarize the major sources and components of air pollution, the relationship between air pollution exposure and chronic kidney disease, and the impact of air pollution on the progression of primary glomerular diseases. The team highlights important gaps in knowledge and the need for future collaborative work involving environmental scientists, epidemiologists, and nephrologists.

Authors note that air pollution exposure represents a potentially modifiable risk factor for chronic kidney disease progression that can be addressed by regulatory action, personal behaviors, and intervention to prevent or limit exposure.