Potential contribution of the immune system to the emergence of renal diseases

Several parts are possessed by kidneys in fundamental physiological functions, which include the regulation of blood pressure, production of blood cells, homeostasis of water, salt, and calcium, and the balance of acids and bases. Thus, several pathologies could cause, or be caused by, renal dysfunction. Chronic kidney failure, or chronic kidney disease, is described as the time when kidneys lose their function gradually. Excess fluids and wastes are filtered from the blood and excreted to urine by kidneys. However, in case of advanced stages of chronic kidney failures, deleterious levels of wastes, electrolytes, and fluids could be observed in the body. The activation of immune system, as well as inflammation, are factors with paramount significance in the development of chronic and acute renal failure. Two main branches, including innate and adaptive immunity, compose the immune system. As the first responder, the innate immunity responds nonspecifically to invading pathogens. However, the adaptive immunity provides efficient recognition and response to particular pathogens, and enjoys a memory which is useful in second exposure to a pathogen. Different functions, the mediation of which takes place through cytokines, immune cell subsets, and protein cascades, are performed by these two immune responses. This review is aimed at focusing on data which have linked adaptive immunity, particularly T-cells and inflammatory mechanisms, to the development of renal failure.