Aussie kidney breakthrough
December 20, 2012
STUDY by researchers from
Monash University has found that
leukocytes, otherwise known as
white blood cells, may play a role in
kidney inflammation.
During the study, researchers
tracked the movements of white
blood cells and found that whilst
they play important protective roles
in the body's immune system, in
some cases they cause damaging
inflammation.
“Contrary to conventional medical
and scientific opinion, we found
that leukocytes are constantly
circulating through and patrolling
the blood vessels within healthy
kidneys,” said lead researcher
Associate Professor Michael Hickey
of the University's Centre for
Inflammatory Diseases in the
Department of Medicine.
“It was previously believed that
they only arrived in the kidney
during the development of disease.
“That's not the case.
“However, during disease they
linger in the kidney during the
course of their normal journey,
become agitated and cause
inflammation and kidney damage,”
he added.
The research is particularly
important when considering
glomerulonephritis, an
inflammatory disease of the kidney
that can lead to the need for
transplantation or regular dialysis.
More than 20% of end-stage renal
failure cases result from
glomerulonephritis.
Discussing the results of the study
Renal Physician and co-investigator
Professor Richard Kitching said
therapies to effectively target
glomerulonephritis were needed
before end-stage was reached.
“The treatments we have can be
fairly effective, but they are
non-specific and they often have
unacceptable side effects,”
Professor Kitching said.
“Currently, we have to suppress
the immune system to combat the
inflammation and this
immunosuppression leaves the
body more prone to infections.
“Additionally, some of the drugs
have metabolic side effects, such as
weight gain and bone thinning.
“Now we have a better
understanding of how the disease
develops, we can identify targets
for more specific drugs, with fewer
side-effects,” Kitchling added.
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