Mechanisms of mesangial injury in glomerular diseases

Abstract

Immune-mediated mesangial cell injury can be triggered by various mechanisms including the trapping of immune complexes, binding of specific antibodies to mesangial cells or indirect binding of immune complexes to mesangial cells via specific receptors. These receptors include specific receptors for IgG or IgA and complement receptors. Interactions of immune complexes or antibodies with mesangial cells contribute to activation of these cells and release of cytokines and chemokines, influx of inflammatory cells and either further activation of intrinsic renal cells or injury of the glomerulus. In this review a number of aspects of renal cell injury are summarized.