Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
04:37
Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model for Investigating Kidney Interstitial Fibrosis
Published on: April 25, 2025
A nest in renal fibrosis?
J-L Bascands1, J Klein, J P Schanstra
1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medical, U858/12MR, Renal and Cardiac Remodeling, Toulouse, France. bascalou@toulouse.inserm.fr
Kidney International
|July 27, 2007
Summary
Sakairi and colleagues discovered that nestin, an intermediate filament protein, is present in tubular cells and interstitial myofibroblasts. This finding raises questions about the source and function of these nestin-positive cells in tubulointerstitial fibrosis development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Renal Pathology
- Fibrosis Research
Background:
- Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a key factor in chronic kidney disease progression.
- The cellular origins and roles in fibrosis remain incompletely understood.
Discussion:
- Sakairi et al. identified nestin expression in both renal tubular cells and interstitial myofibroblasts.
- This co-expression suggests a potential shared origin or interactive role for these cell populations.
Key Insights:
- Nestin-positive tubular cells and myofibroblasts are present in the tubulointerstitium.
- The presence of nestin in these cells challenges existing paradigms of fibrosis development.
Outlook:
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise origin of nestin-positive cells.
- Investigating the functional contribution of these cells to fibrosis pathogenesis is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
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