The role of IL‐20 in chronic kidney disease and diabetic nephropathy: Pathogenic and therapeutic implications

Chronic kidney disease and its complications are a major public health problem worldwide. Diabetic nephropathy has become the main contributing cause of terminal renal failure. There are now evidences that different inflammatory molecules, including proinflammatory cytokines, play a critical role in the development of microvascular diabetic complications, including nephropathy. IL‐20 is emerging as a potent angiogenic, chemotactic, and proinflammatory cytokine related to several chronic inflammatory disorders likes psoriasis, atherosclerosis, and renal failure. This review discusses the role of IL‐20 as a pathogenic factor in renal injury, focusing on chronic kidney disease and diabetic nephropathy, and describes potential treatment strategies based on modulation of IL‐20's function. IL‐20 is a crucial mediator for regulating tubular cell apoptosis, promoting renal fibrosis, and enhancing podocyte dysfunction.