The pathogenesis of tubulointerstitial disease associated with glomerulonephritis: the glomerular cytokine theory

R Pichler1, C Giachelli, B Young

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle 98195, USA.

Mineral and Electrolyte Metabolism
|January 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Tubulointerstitial disease significantly impacts kidney function and prognosis. This review explores how injured glomeruli release factors that recruit inflammatory cells, leading to kidney fibrosis.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Pathology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Tubulointerstitial disease is a significant factor affecting glomerular disease prognosis.
  • The precise mechanisms driving tubulointerstitial disease development remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the hypothesis that glomerular injury factors induce tubulointerstitial inflammation.
  • To identify potential mediators involved in leukocyte recruitment and subsequent fibrosis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on glomerular and tubulointerstitial disease.
  • Discussion of proposed mechanisms involving cellular interactions and molecular signaling.

Main Results:

  • Factors released from injured glomeruli may attract mononuclear cells to the interstitium.
  • Osteopontin is a potential leukocyte adhesive factor, though others are likely involved.
  • Recruited leukocytes, particularly macrophages, contribute to tubular injury and fibrosis.

Conclusions:

  • Glomerular injury can initiate a cascade leading to tubulointerstitial fibrosis.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies for kidney disease.

Related Concept Videos

Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction01:24

Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction

Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of fluid...
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology01:29

Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology

Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes are categorized into three primary categories based on the location of the injury: prerenal, intrarenal (or intrinsic), and postrenal causes. This classification guides clinical management and illustrates how different pathways can impair kidney function.Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury1. Prerenal causesEtiology: Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury, the most common type, occurs when reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases filtration capacity...
Chronic Inflammation: Introduction01:12

Chronic Inflammation: Introduction

Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, dysregulated immune response that persists for weeks to years when the inciting stimulus is difficult to eradicate or when self‑antigens drive ongoing reactivity. Morphologically, it is defined by mononuclear cell infiltration, progressive tissue destruction, and concurrent attempts at healing via angiogenesis and fibrosis. Compared with acute inflammation, edema is less prominent while cellular infiltration predominates; triggers include persistent...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Gastritis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Gastritis II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of gastritis begins with the colonization of the stomach lining by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium spreads mainly via the oral-oral route through saliva or shared utensils, and can also be transmitted in overcrowded or unhygienic environments through contaminated water, despite its brief survival outside the body.ColonizationOnce ingested, H. pylori enters the stomach and begins colonization by navigating through the mucus layer lining the stomach wall. It...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease01:25

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...