title: The origin of nephrocalcinosis, Randall's plaque and renal stones: a cell biology viewpoint.
abstract: Medullary nephrocalcinosis is a rare condition typically observed in metabolic conditions prone to renal calcium stones. Randall's plaques are very frequently observed in the common idiopathic calcium-oxalate nephrolithiasis. These plaques are apatite mineral structures, and we propose they also are an example of nephrocalcinosis. While these calcium deposits are generally considered to be the consequence of purely physico-chemical phenomena, we advance the hypothesis that they form because of a true ectopic biomineralization in the renal tissue. Henle's loop epithelial cells, or pericyte-like interstitial cells, or papillary stem-cells differentiating along a bone lineage could be involved.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Renal Program, Catholic University Hospital, Rome, Italy. giovanni.gambaro@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gambaro
authors.forename: Cataldo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abaterusso
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fabris
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruggera
authors.forename: Filiberto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zattoni
authors.forename: Dorella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Del Prete
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anglani
mesh_terms: D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000378:metabolism; D003585:Cell Biology; D006801:Humans; D009397:Nephrocalcinosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002129:Calcium Oxalate