PBMC therapy reduces cell death and tissue fibrosis after acute kidney injury by modulating the pattern of monocyte/macrophage survival in tissue.

In this study, we investigated if the therapeutic potential of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) therapy in a murine model of ischemic AKI is related with the survival pattern of monocyte/macrophages in tissue. CD-1 mice were subjected to bilateral renal ischemia followed by reperfusion to induce AKI. M2-polarized PBMCs isolated from CD-1 mice were administered intravenously at different time points post-injury.

The phagocytosis dysfunction in lupus nephritis is related to monocyte/macrophage CPT1a.

Macrophages must remove apoptotic cells to shield tissues from the deleterious components of dying cells. The development of chronic inflammation and autoimmune symptoms in systemic lupus is influenced by a deficiency in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells but the underlying mechanism is still unknown. Modifications in monocyte/macrophage phenotype brought on by an increase in their inflammatory phenotype would cause them to decrease the expression of CPT1a, which would reduce their ability to phagocytose, aggravating kidney damage in lupus nephritis.

Development of Cell Therapies for Renal Disease and Regenerative Medicine.

The incidence of renal disease is gradually increasing worldwide, and this condition has become a major public health problem because it is a trigger for many other chronic diseases. Cell therapies using multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, hematopoietic stem cells, macrophages, and other cell types have been used to induce regeneration and provide a cure for acute and chronic kidney disease in experimental models. This review describes the advances in cell therapy protocols applied to acute and chronic kidney injuries and the attempts to apply these treatments in a clinical setting.

NGAL release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells protects against acute kidney injury and prevents AKI induced fibrosis.

We propose the use of a peripheral blood mononuclear cell therapy based on cell NGAL release to be used in the clinical setting for acute kidney injury (AKI) and the derived fibrosis. First, we designed a procedure whereby PBMC overexpress NGAL and anti-inflammatory agents when subjected to repetitive anoxia/reoxygenation (PBMC (A/R)). Using an in vivo AKI model, we observed that PBMC(A/R) reduces BUN and creatinine levels in blood and inflammation, enhances anti-inflammation, induces proliferation of tubular epithelial cells and reduces AKI-induced fibrosis.

Mitochondrial Transplantation Enhances Phagocytic Function and Decreases Lipid Accumulation in Foam Cell Macrophages.

Macrophages have mechanisms for eliminating cholesterol from cells. If excess cholesterol is not eliminated from the macrophages, then transformation into a foam cell may occur. Foam cells are a hallmark of the atherosclerotic lesions that contribute to the development and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques.