[Inflammatory mechanisms in the kidney].
Diverse mechanisms regulate the infiltration of the kidney with leukocytes in immune-mediated renal diseases. Chemotactic factors (chemokines) and intercellular adhesion molecules are known to promote the anchoring of infiltrating mononuclear cells in the kidney. We have recently shown that fragments of the polysaccharide hyaluronan (HA), but not native high molecular weight HA can cause prominent upregulation of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in renal proximal tubular cells. HA is also capable of stimulating the synthesis of chemokines in these cells. HA accumulates in many inflammatory renal diseases and could cause a proinflammatory effect by promoting leukocyte infiltration in the kidney after binding with its cellular receptor CD44. This mechanism may play an important role in immune renal injury in various renal diseases.
Wüthrich
R P
RP
Physiologisches Institut, Universität Zürich-Irchel.
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology; D018925:Chemokines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000502:physiology; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000276:immunology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018925:Chemokines; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid