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Introduction Alterations in glomerular filtration can considerably influence the dynamics and functions of the Bowman capsule. Despite the potentially important role in maintaining normal renal functions, few studies have focused on Bowman capsule volume in normal human kidneys. Methods We analyzed specimens from biopsies performed 1 hour after kidney transplantation from living donors without apparent renal disease. The measurements of all cross-sectional areas of the Bowman capsules and glomerular capillaries were used to estimate the mean Bowman capsule volume (BV) and glomerular capillary volume (GV) in each subject. The G/B ratio was defined as the ratio of GV to BV. The morphometric findings were examined in relation to the clinical findings in donors just before kidney transplantation. Results We analyzed 37 adults with a mean creatinine clearance of 111 ml/min. The mean BV and GV of these subjects were 6.10 ± 2.46 × 106 μm3 and 3.83 ± 1.52 × 106 μm3, respectively. Both the BV and GV varied up to 6-fold and were significantly higher in elderly, obese, or hypertensive subjects in comparison to nonelderly, nonobese, or normotensive subjects, whereas the renal function of each subgroup was similar. The G/B ratio (0.63 ± 0.05) was unaffected, and BV and GV were strongly correlated regardless of these clinical factors (r = 0.980 [95% confidence interval = 0.961−0.990], P Conclusion In the normal adult kidney, there may be an optimal BV to GV ratio for maintaining effective filtration in a variety of clinical situations, including advanced age, obesity, and hypertension.

c-Jun is a transcription factor that belongs to the activator protein-1 family of proteins. In human kidney disease, c-Jun is activated in glomerular and tubular cells and plays a major role in renal pathophysiology. However, the contribution of this pathway to renal allograft rejection has not been determined. We investigated whether c-Jun is activated in acute allograft rejection. c-Jun activation was assessed with immunohistochemistry using phospho-specific c-Jun antibodies in control human renal tissue and renal tissue from patients with acute cellular rejection, acute antibody-mediated rejection, and no rejection in the month after transplantation. In patients with acute cellular rejection, c-Jun activation was observed primarily in infiltrated T cells associated with tubulitis, interstitial cell infiltration, and endarteritis. The number of infiltrated phosphorylated c-Jun-positive cells in the tubules and interstitium was correlated with the Banff classification "t" and "i" scores. In patients with acute antibody-mediated rejection, c-Jun activation was observed in injured endothelial cells as well as in infiltrated cells, including macrophages, in the glomerular and peritubular capillaries. Furthermore, the serum creatinine levels and changes in serum creatinine from the previous year were significantly correlated with the total tubulointerstitial phosphorylated c-Jun-positive score (representing the number of positive nuclei in the tubules, interstitium, and peritubular capillaries). In conclusion, c-Jun was activated in acute antibody-mediated rejection and acute cellular rejection and was associated with reduced graft function. These findings suggest that c-Jun plays a key role in pathological events and may represent a novel therapeutic target in acute renal allograft rejection.

Peritubular capillary basement membrane multilayering (PTCBMML) is a pathological landmark of chronic rejection-induced transplant capillaropathy (TC), but its cellular mechanisms are not fully understood. We observed de novo caveolae formation in endothelial cells in TC under electron microscopy. To examine the role of caveolae and their structural components in TC, biopsy samples from cases of chronic rejection were double-immunostained for Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and Pathologische Anatomie Leiden-endothelium (PAL-E; a marker of peritubular capillary [PC]). Thirty-two cases of chronic rejection (group I) were compared with 18 cases of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy with no evidence of any specific etiology (IF/TA; group II) and eight cases of peritubular capillaritis (group III). The Cav-1/PAL-E immunoreactivities in groups I-III (%Cav-1/PAL-E) were 41.8+/-23.1%, 8.1+/-7.3% (p < 0.01 vs. group I) and 12.7+/-7.4% (p < 0.01 vs. group I), respectively. Furthermore, multiple linear regression models demonstrated that %Cav-1/PAL-E was independently associated with the PTCBMML grade and reduced PC number. No correlation was observed between %Cav-1/PAL-E and PC C4d deposition in group I. We conclude that de novo caveolae formation in PC endothelia is involved in TC in chronic rejection.