Peritubular capillary rarefaction: a new therapeutic target in chronic kidney disease

Pediatr Nephrol. 2014 Mar;29(3):333-42. doi: 10.1007/s00467-013-2430-y. Epub 2013 Mar 10.

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has reached worldwide epidemic proportions and desperately needs new therapies. Peritubular capillary (PTC) rarefaction, together with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, is one of the major hallmarks of CKD and predicts renal outcome in patients with CKD. PTC endothelial cells (ECs) undergo apoptosis during CKD, leading to capillary loss, tissue hypoxia, and oxidative stress. Although the mechanisms of PTC rarefaction are not well understood, the process of PTC rarefaction depends on multiple events that occur during CKD. These events, which lead to an antiangiogenic environment, include deprivation of EC survival factors, increased production of vascular growth inhibitors, malfunction of ECs, dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells, and loss of EC integrity via pericyte detachment from the vasculature. In this review, we focus on major factors regulating angiogenesis and EC survival and describe the roles of these factors in PTC rarefaction during CKD and possible therapeutic applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenic Proteins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Capillaries / metabolism
  • Capillaries / pathology*
  • Capillaries / physiopathology
  • Cell Hypoxia
  • Cell Survival
  • Disease Progression
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Tubules / blood supply*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / metabolism
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / pathology*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / therapy
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Angiogenic Proteins