The origin of nephrocalcinosis, Randall's plaque and renal stones: a cell biology viewpoint.
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.
Gambaro
Giovanni
G
Division of Nephrology, Renal Program, Catholic University Hospital, Rome, Italy. giovanni.gambaro@rm.unicatt.it
Abaterusso
Cataldo
C
Fabris
Antonia
A
Ruggera
Lorenzo
L
Zattoni
Filiberto
F
Del Prete
Dorella
D
D'Angelo
Angela
A
Anglani
Franca
F
D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000378:metabolism; D003585:Cell Biology; D006801:Humans; D009397:Nephrocalcinosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism
D002129:Calcium Oxalate