The role of the immune system in kidney disease

Tecklenborg, J., Clayton, D., Siebert, S. and Coley, S. (2018) The role of the immune system in kidney disease. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 192(2), pp. 142-150. (doi: 10.1111/cei.13119) (PMID:29453850)

Abstract

The immune system and the kidneys are closely linked. In health the kidneys contribute to immune homeostasis, while components of the immune system mediate many acute forms of renal disease and play a central role in progression of chronic kidney disease. A dysregulated immune system can have either direct or indirect renal effects. Direct immune-mediated kidney diseases are usually a consequence of autoantibodies directed against a constituent renal antigen, such as collagen IV in anti-glomerular basement membrane disease. Indirect immune-mediated renal disease often follows systemic autoimmunity with immune complex formation, but can also be due to uncontrolled activation of the complement pathways. Though the range of mechanisms of immune dysregulation leading to renal disease is broad, the pathways leading to injury are similar. Loss of immune homeostasis in renal disease results in perpetual immune cell recruitment and worsening damage to the kidney. Uncoordinated attempts at tissue repair, after immune-mediated disease or non-immune mediated injury, result in fibrosis of structures important for renal function, eventually leading to kidney failure. As renal disease often only manifests clinically when substantial damage has already occurred, new diagnostic methods and indeed treatments must be identified to inhibit further progression and promote appropriate tissue repair. Studying cases in which immune homeostasis is re-established may reveal new treatment possibilities.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Siebert, Professor Stefan and Coley, Dr Shana
• Authors: Tecklenborg, J., Clayton, D., Siebert, S., and Coley, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Clinical and Experimental Immunology
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
• ISSN: 0009-9104
• ISSN (Online): 1365-2249
• Published Online: 17 February 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 British Society for Immunology
• First Published: First published in Clinical and Experimental Immunology 192(2): 142-150
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy