Neutrophils and NETs in kidney disease
Daigo Nakazawa1, Sakiko Masuda2, Yuka Nishibata2
1Department of Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Nature Reviews. Nephrology
|March 19, 2025
Summary
Neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a dual role in kidney health, defending against pathogens but also contributing to kidney disease. Targeting NET formation offers a potential new therapeutic strategy for various kidney disorders.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neutrophils were traditionally viewed as a uniform cell type but are now recognized as heterogeneous with diverse immune functions.
- Activated neutrophils release various bioactive molecules, including neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are crucial for innate immunity and trapping pathogens.
- While NETs are vital for pathogen defense, they can also cause self-damage due to cytotoxicity, thrombogenicity, and autoantigenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted role of neutrophils and NETs in kidney pathophysiology.
- To investigate the implication of neutrophils and NETs in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets by examining neutrophil activation and NET formation in kidney disorders.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on neutrophil heterogeneity and function.
- Analysis of the mechanisms by which neutrophils and NETs contribute to kidney damage.
- Examination of the role of neutrophils in inflammatory processes within the kidney.
Main Results:
- Neutrophils exhibit heterogeneity, influencing their immune properties and contributions to disease.
- NETs are essential for trapping bacteria but can promote kidney damage through cytotoxicity and thrombogenicity.
- Neutrophil infiltration and NET formation are implicated in acute kidney injury, vasculitis, lupus erythematosus, thrombotic microangiopathy, and chronic kidney disease.
Conclusions:
- Neutrophils and NETs are implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse kidney diseases.
- Pathological changes in the kidney can lead to neutrophil infiltration and subsequent tissue damage.
- Targeting neutrophil activation and NET formation presents a promising therapeutic avenue for kidney conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Nephrons
1.9K
The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma...
1.9K
01:20Renal Corpuscle
1.4K
The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous...
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous...
1.4K
01:45Kidney Structure
68.3K
The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.
68.3K
01:12Internal Anatomy of the Kidney
1.2K
The kidneys are essential organs in the human body, performing a myriad of tasks that maintain homeostasis and overall health.
Anatomical Position and Dimensions
The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs positioned against the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the spine, roughly between the twelfth thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is typically 10-12 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, and 3-4 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams.
Renal Cortex
The outermost region of the kidney is the...
Anatomical Position and Dimensions
The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs positioned against the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the spine, roughly between the twelfth thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is typically 10-12 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, and 3-4 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams.
Renal Cortex
The outermost region of the kidney is the...
1.2K
01:13Introduction to Urinary System
1.9K
The urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, the urinary bladder, and the urethra.
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the retroperitoneal space, on either side of the vertebral column, between the T12 and L3 vertebrae. They are partially protected by the rib cage and surrounded by perirenal fat, which provides cushioning. They are responsible for urine formation and play critical roles in regulating blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and hormone production. The ureters...
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the retroperitoneal space, on either side of the vertebral column, between the T12 and L3 vertebrae. They are partially protected by the rib cage and surrounded by perirenal fat, which provides cushioning. They are responsible for urine formation and play critical roles in regulating blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and hormone production. The ureters...
1.9K
01:32Filtration and Urine Formation
49.0K
The function of the kidneys is to filter, reabsorb, secrete, and excrete. Every day the kidneys filter nearly 180 liters of blood, initially removing water and solutes but ultimately returning nearly all filtrates into circulation with the help of osmoregulatory hormones. This process removes wastes and toxins but is also crucial to maintain water and electrolyte levels. Most of these functions are performed by the tiny but numerous nephrons contained within the kidneys.
49.0K