Macrophages in Renal Disease : Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (original) (raw)
Up Front Matters: Brief Reviews
Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Correspondence: Dr. Yiping Wang, Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Phone: 61-2-98456877; Fax: 61-2-96339351; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Macrophages have heterogeneous phenotypes as they exercise their twofold role in the development and recovery of renal diseases. Some subpopulations of macrophages (M1) have a pathogenic function in renal inflammation, making them a logical target for elimination. Alternatively, M2 macrophage subpopulations resolve inflammation and repair injury, making them a potential therapeutic tool against renal injury. Here, we summarize recent findings regarding macrophage plasticity, and the various strategies for targeting or utilizing macrophages to treat renal disease. We highlight, in particular, the potential of renoprotective M2 macrophages to resolve inflammation and repair the kidney.
Copyright © 2011 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
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