In this article, we review the current evidence for the cellular and molecular mechanisms of AKI, focusing on epithelial cell pathobiology and related cell-cell interactions, using ischemic AKI as a model. Highlighted are the clinical relevance of cellular and molecular targets that have been investigated in experimental models of ischemic AKI and how such models might be improved to optimize translation into successful clinical trials. In particular, development of more context-specific animal models with greater relevance to human AKI is urgently needed. Comorbidities that could alter patient susceptibility to AKI, such as underlying diabetes, aging, obesity, cancer, and CKD, should also be considered in developing these models. Finally, harmonization between academia and industry for more clinically relevant preclinical testing of potential therapeutic targets and better translational clinical trial design is also needed to achieve the goal of developing effective interventions for AKI. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of AKI have been extensively investigated in a variety of experimental models, through which a number of candidate therapies for AKI have been identified. This article reviews the current evidence by dissecting the cellular and molecular mechanisms of AKI, focusing on epithelial cell pathobiology and related cell-cell interactions, and using the example of ischemic AKI to describe our approach. Specifically, we reviewed the cellular and molecular epithelial cell targets that have been investigated in experimental models of ischemic AKI, and considered the clinical relevance of these models in human AKI and how such models might be improved to optimize translation into successful clinical trials. We have structured our review to answer two key questions: