[The structure and function of the renal interstitial cells].
The renal interstitial cells consist of fibroblast-like cells, lipid-laden interstitial cells, macrophages, interstitial dendritic cells and perivascular cells. The fibroblast-like cells are mainly located in renal cortex and medulla, and have long cytoplasmic processes forming a reticular network between the tubules and capillaries. In disease state, interstitial cells show expressions of HLA-class 2 antigen, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and the expressions are related with leukocyte infiltrate and tubulitis. In tubular injury and obstruction, the proliferation of interstitial cells occurs around damaged tubules, and form a lymphatic system. In the interstitial fibrosis, interstitial and tubular epithelial cells secrete procollagen and interstitial cells have the action of resolving them. Therefore, the relationship between interstitial fibrosis and interstitial cells is not yet clear. The medullary interstitial cells have receptors for angiotensin 2 or bradykinin and secrete PGE2. The interstitial cells show an interaction of blood components and tubular epithelial cells.
Yamaguchi
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Department of Pathology, Kashiwa Hospital, Jikei University School of Medicine.
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000473:pathology; D012038:Regeneration