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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
09:43
Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
Published on: June 8, 2022
Kallikreins and lupus nephritis
Claudio Ponticelli1, Pier Luigi Meroni
1Division of Nephrology, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Milan, Italy. claudio.ponticelli@fastwebnet.it
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|April 7, 2009
Summary
Kallikrein may protect kidneys in autoimmune diseases like Goodpasture syndrome and lupus nephritis. This system
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- The kidney kallikrein-kinin system influences inflammation, coagulation, and blood vessel function.
- Anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibody-induced nephritis models Goodpasture disease.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis are complex autoimmune conditions.
Discussion:
- Liu et al. demonstrate a protective role for kallikrein in anti-GBM nephritis models.
- Human studies link kallikrein 1 (KLK1) and KLK3 promoter to SLE and lupus nephritis.
- The kallikrein-kinin system might have dual functions in kidney health and disease.
Key Insights:
- Kallikrein shows potential protective effects in experimental nephritis.
- Genetic associations suggest kallikrein's involvement in SLE pathogenesis.
- The kallikrein-kinin system's role in kidney disease is complex and potentially dual-acting.
Outlook:
- Further research into kallikrein's renoprotective mechanisms is warranted.
- Targeting the kallikrein-kinin system could offer new therapeutic strategies for kidney diseases.
- Understanding the dual roles of this system is crucial for effective treatment development.
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