Role of immunocompetent cells in nonimmune renal diseases

Renal infiltration with macrophages and monocytes is a well recognized feat ure of not only immune, but also nonimmune kidney disease. This review focu ses on the investigations that have shown accumulation of immunocompetent c ells in experimental models of acute and chronic ischemia, protein overload , hypercholesterolemia. renal ablation, obstructive uropathy, polycystic ki dney disease, diabetes, aging, murine hypertension, and nephrotoxicity. We examine the mechanisms of infiltration of immunocompetent cells and their p articipation in the self-perpetuating cycle of activation of the angiotensi n system generation of reactive oxygen species, and further recruitment of monocytes and lymphocytes. We also discuss the possibility of antigen-depen dent and antigen-independent mechanisms of immune cell activation in these animal models. Finally, we review the recent studies in which suppression o f cellular immunity with mycophenolate mofetil has proven beneficial in att enuating or preventing the progression of renal functional and histologic d amage in experimental conditions of nonimmune nature.