Pharmacologic recruitment of regulatory T cells as a therapy for ischemic acute kidney injury.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key components of the peripheral tolerance system and have become an immunotherapeutic agent for treating inflammatory processes. This therapeutic option, however, is hampered by problems arising from isolating and expanding desirable Tregs. Here we used an alternative approach with a pharmacologic agent to stimulate Tregs to achieve immunosuppressive effects.

Site-specific expression of IQGAP1, a key mediator of cytoskeleton, in mouse renal tubules.

IQGAP1 is a multifunctional junction molecule that is involved in cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, cell polarity, and cell-cell adhesion. It is highly expressed in the kidney and has recently been identified in the glomerular basement membrane as a nephrin-associated protein. However, the distribution of IQGAP1 in renal tubular epithelial cells is unknown.

Effects of furosemide on renal calcium handling.

Furosemide is a loop diuretic agent that has been used to treat hypercalcemia because it increases renal calcium excretion. The effect of furosemide on calcium transport molecules in distal tubules has yet to be investigated. We conducted studies to examine the effects of furosemide on renal calcium excretion and expression of calcium transport molecules in mice.

Renin-angiotensin blockade reduces serum free testosterone in middle-aged men on haemodialysis and correlates with erythropoietin resistance.

Background: There are conflicting reports about the importance of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on erythropoietin (Epo) sensitivity in haemodialysis patients, but the role of gender has not been studied specifically. The hypothesis underlying this study is that Epo resistance associated with RAS blockade (RASB) is specific to men and related to drug-induced lowering of circulating testosterone.

Methods: Men and women undergoing chronic haemodialysis were divided into groups according to whether or not they were receiving RASB.

Effect of thiazide on renal gene expression of apical calcium channels and calbindins.

Thiazide diuretics are specific inhibitors of the Na-Cl cotransporter in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT). In addition to producing diuresis and natriuresis, they have a hypocalciuric effect. Recently, two apical calcium channels have been identified, transient receptor potential vanilloid 5 (TRPV5) and TRPV6; both are expressed in the DCT.