Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) mediates acute kidney injury (AKI) and nephron loss, the hallmark of end-stage renal disease. It involves cell death propagation along the tubular compartment by ferroptosis. Over the last decades, studies have repeatedly demonstrated a significant difference in the susceptibility to AKI depending on sex. In the clinics, it became evident, that the incidence of end stage kidney disease is higher in adult men than in women. However, the reason for this is currently not clear. Whether the protection of females is due to fluctuations in hormone levels or other signaling pathways, or other biological differences play an important role, remains an ongoing matter of research.

To gain further insight, our group studies sex-based differences in the context of AKI and aims to determine the biological aspects of increased sensitivity in males vs protection in females. These studies will help understand the differences between the sexes in response to kidney injuries, including ischemia-reperfusion after organ transplantations. Detailed molecular understanding is crucial for effective treatment and will improve clinical outcomes in the future.