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Dangers within: DAMP responses to damage and cell death in kidney disease

Diane L Rosin1, Mark D Okusa

  • 1Division of Nephrology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. dr5e@virginia.edu

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN
|February 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from dying cells activate innate immunity, similar to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Understanding DAMPs is crucial for kidney disease pathogenesis and repair.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Nephrology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Innate immunity is activated by exogenous pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) binding to pattern recognition receptors, as seen in septic shock.
  • This PAMP-based model does not fully explain inflammation in transplantation, autoimmunity, or trauma.
  • Endogenous damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) released by dying cells also activate innate immunity and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of DAMPs and their receptors in kidney disease.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which DAMPs contribute to acute and chronic kidney diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of current literature on DAMPs and innate immunity.
  • Focus on the specific contribution of DAMPs to kidney disease pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • DAMPs, like PAMPs, trigger innate immune responses through receptor binding.
  • Dampening immune responses to DAMPs may be beneficial for tissue repair.
  • DAMPs are implicated in the development of both acute and chronic kidney diseases.

Conclusions:

  • DAMPs represent a critical signaling pathway in innate immunity, distinct from PAMPs.
  • Targeting DAMPs and their receptors may offer novel therapeutic strategies for kidney diseases.

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