Tubular epithelial cells: A critical cell type in the regulation of renal inflammatory processes

Most chronic human kidney diseases are characterized by a final common path way consisting of interstitial inflammation and ultimately leading to inter stitial fibrosis. Within this process, tubular epithelial cells (TECs) play a critical role. Both in vitro and in vivo it has been demonstrated that T ECs are an important source of various cytokines, chemokines, growth factor s, adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix components. In the present r eview we will outline the capacity of TECs to produce inflammatory mediator s and discuss the different mechanisms involved in the regulation of produc tion of these mediators. Copyright (C) 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel.