title: Kidney α-intercalated cells and lipocalin 2: defending the urinary tract.
abstract: A growing body of evidence indicates that the kidneys contribute substantially to immune defense against pathogens in the urinary tract. In this issue, Paragas et al. report that α-intercalated cells (A-ICs) within the nephron collecting duct sense infecting Gram-negative bacteria, resulting in simultaneously secretion of the iron chelating protein lipocalin 2 (LCN2) and protons, which acidify the urine. A-IC-specific LCN2 and proton secretion markedly reduced the ability of infecting uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) to grow and sustain infection. The capacity of A-ICs to sense and actively promote clearance of infecting bacteria in the lower urinary tract represents a novel function for these specialized kidney cells, which are best known for their role in modulating acid-base homeostasis.
authors.forename: Yuxuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.forename: Soman N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Abraham
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000652:urine*; D000818:Animals; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007685:Kidney Tubules, Collecting / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000652:urine*; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000652:urine*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000652:urine*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D056689:Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C071332:Lcn2 protein, mouse