Renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) are increasingly recognized as key players in kidney diseases. They integrate metabolic, inflammatory, and fibrotic signals. This article reviews new data suggesting that RTECs could function as central integrators within diagnostic networks, linking cellular stress responses to detectable blood and urine biomarkers. We discuss the latest advances in multi-omics, extracellular vesicles, and single-cell technologies that enable precise identification of RTEC states. Finally, we discuss the potential of RTEC-centric diagnostics and highlight current limitations in early disease recognition, stratification, and the development of personalized therapeutic interventions.
Delrue et al. (Sun,) studied this question.