Cellular and molecular mediators in common pathway mechanisms of chronic renal disease progression

Injury mechanisms activated by the hemodynamic adaptations to nephron loss are considered to represent a final common pathway that underlies the progressive nature of chronic renal disease. In this article, we review experimental evidence that the induction of cell adhesion molecule, cytokine and profibrotic growth factor gene expression and the resultant renal infiltration by inflammatory cells, especially macrophages, are important components of these common pathway mechanisms. Interventions aimed at inhibiting these mechanisms may offer new treatments for slowing or arresting the progression of chronic renal disease.