Cells and Mediators in Glomerulonephritis

Nitric Oxide: An Inflammatory Mediator of Glomerular Mesangial Cells

“…These data led the authors to conclude that infiltrating macro phages are the major source of glomerular nitrite synthesis [55][56][57], However, there are 4 cell types present in inflamed glomeruli that have previously been found to synthesize NO and subsequently nitrite: neutrophils, macrophages, mesangial cells and endothelial cells. The role of macro phages as effector cells in the pathogenesis of acute glome rular injury and nephritis is well established [58]. The inter action of infiltrating macrophages and intrinsic glomerular cells plays a central role in the pathogenesis of certain forms of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis.…”

Neutralizing Inflammatory Cytokines in Nephritis

“…Platelet-and leucocyte-mediated glomerular injury is part of nephritis [1], There is now interest in the expression of endothelial surface adhesion molecules which are stim ulated by the release o f pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), so that leu cocytes can easily gain access to the glomeruli. Actually hyperadhesiveness of endothelial cells for leucocytes is me diated rapidly by leukotriene B4 and by platelet-activating factor and more slowly by released IL-1 and TNF-a that cause the induction of P and E selectins.…”

ANCA and associated diseases: immunodiagnostic and pathogenetic aspects

“…It degrades elastin, haemoglobin [12], fibronectin, laminin, vitronectin and collagen type IV [64] ( Table 2), Furthermore, Kao et al [53] showed that PR3 produces emphysema in hamsters. Moreover, serine proteases from activated neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages appear to be at least partially responsible for tissue injury seen in vasculitis and glomerulonephritis [65], Elastase isolated from experimentally induced granulomas in mice is reported to digest elastic fibres in vessel walls [66], In WG, evidence is accumulating that lysosomal proteins can be observed in the circulation (e,g, lysozyme) and in tissue sections (C, Mrowka, personal communication, [67][68][69]), where they might be responsible for tissue injury, Neutrophil serine proteases, e.g, HLE and CG, can mediate glomerular injury in vivo and lead to proteinuria [70], In Kawasaki's syndrome, the immunoreactive PMN elastase/ alpha-1 AT complex was detected in the circulation [71] and eosinophil cationic protein was found to be deposited in vascular lesions of temporal arteritis [72],…”