Disease mechanisms of glomerulonephritis: chemokines and chemokine receptors

Many forms of glomerulonephritis lead to progressive renal disease and end-stage renal failure. Infiltrating leukocytes are key effectors that cause glomerular injury. Locally secreted chemokines mediate glomerular leukocyte recruitment, effector functions, and the subsequent glomerular damage during the initiation and progression phases of glomerulonephritis. In vivo studies demonstrated that chemokine blockade is an effective anti-inflammatory strategy in glomerulonephritis. However, chemokine antagonism might also alter innate and adaptive immune responses and exacerbate disease under certain conditions.