KDR and acute kidney injury: Through binding to Kdr and Flt‐1 on endothelial cells, VEGF stimulates their proliferation, migration, and formation of a lumen‐like structure, while also activating downstream pathways such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK.[39, 40] A recent study also confirmed the role of promoting angiogenesis in improving recovery from acute kidney injury (AKI) and limiting the progression of CKD.[41] In the novel endothelial cells, we noted a high prevalence of GAS pathway signals and elevated Gas6 expression.