Abstract
BACKGROUND: Kidney diseases are a prevalent global health concern, and despite ongoing research, there remains a lack of fully effective clinical treatments to prevent or halt their progression. Consequently, it is encouraged to identify novel biomarkers, establish early diagnostic methods, pinpoint key molecular pathways, and develop innovative therapeutic targets for more effective management of renal disorders. SUMMARY: Interferons (IFNs), a group of cytokines, play pivotal roles in immune responses, particularly in antiviral and antiproliferative activities. IFNs trigger a cascade of signaling events that lead to the induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), which are essential for controlling viral infections and regulating immune responses. This review explores the impact of interferon-related genes on renal disorders, focusing on the mechanisms, therapeutic approaches, and consequences of enhanced interferon signaling in the kidney. KEY MESSAGES: Most diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting ISGs are still far from clinical implementation. The better understanding of ISG-regulated pathophysiology and the progress of new intervention approaches are expected to facilitate the clinical translation of ISGs-based diagnosis and therapy of kidney diseases.