Factors of tubulointerstitial lesions in diabetic kidneys

Abstract

As the number of cases with classical manifestations of diabetic nephropathy (DN), i.e. nodular or diffuse glomerulosclerosis, grows, an increasinglylarger number of DM patients especially those with DM2 present with renal pathology largely affecting interstitium and tubules (ischemic nephropathy,urinary infection, interstitial nephritis, etc.). The rate of renal filtration impairment in glomerular diseases (DN, glomerulonephritis) is also relatedto the severity of tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF). Intricate intercellular interactions activated by immune and non-immune factors have been shownto play an important role in the development of tubulointerstitial lesions. Studies of the most important factors contributing to remodeling tubulointerstitiumin DM patients may provide a deeper insight into the mechanisms of nephrosclerosis and extend possibilities for prognostication of renalfunction.