title: MCP-1/CCL2: a new diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for progressive renal injury in diabetic nephropathy.
abstract: Despite current therapies, many diabetic patients will suffer from declining renal function in association with progressive kidney inflammation. Recently, animal model studies have demonstrated that kidney macrophage accumulation is a critical factor in the development of diabetic nephropathy. However, specific anti-inflammatory strategies are not yet being considered for the treatment of patients with diabetic renal injury. This review highlights the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)/CC-chemokine ligand 2 as a major promoter of inflammation, renal injury, and fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. Researchers have found that diabetes induces kidney MCP-1 production and that urine MCP-1 levels can be used to assess renal inflammation in this disease. In addition, genetic deletion and molecular blocking studies in rodents have identified MCP-1 as an important therapeutic target for treating diabetic nephropathy. Evidence also suggests that a polymorphism in the human MCP-1 gene is associated with progressive kidney failure in type 2 diabetes, which may identify patients at higher risk who need additional therapy. These findings provide a strong rationale for developing specific therapies against MCP-1 and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Nephrology, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Rd., Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. greg.tesch@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Tesch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy / Q000652:urine; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D012333:RNA, Messenger