Immunity system complexity: preventing kidney stones (Introduction)

by David Turell , Monday, January 08, 2024, 17:51 (110 days ago) @ David Turell

By immune macrophage cells:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-01-renal-macrophages-playing-crucial-role.html

"These techniques captured the association of macrophages with particles in urine and demonstrated the role of macrophages in particle removal. Renal macrophages located near medullary tubules display specific behaviors, extending transepithelial protrusions and constantly sampling urine contents.

"The macrophages were then seen to migrate and surround intratubular particles, aiding in their removal from the tubular system. Mice were injected with fluorescent inert latex beads into the kidney, and within 12 hours, free beads were almost absent from the lumen of the collecting ducts.

"To confirm the role of the macrophages, the latex bead experiment was repeated with mice lacking renal macrophages. Macrophage-depleted mice showed increased retention of the fluorescent beads even after 36 hours despite the more prolonged exposure to natural urine flushing.

"This result suggests that normal urine flushing alone could not efficiently remove big particles in the renal tubule system without the macrophage pre-disposal assistance.

"The findings suggest potential therapeutic implications for kidney stones (nephrolithiasis or renal calculi) and for developing kidney-specific drug delivery methods based on these distinctive macrophage features."

Comment: macrophages are programmed to spot abnormalities and remove them. It isn't limited to infectious organisms.