The function of mast cells in autoimmune glomerulonephritis

Abstract

Immune-mediated glomerulonephritis is caused by deposition of immune complexes on the glomerular basement membrane or of autoantibodies directed against the glomerular basement membrane. Depositions lead to an infl ammatory response that can ultimately destroy renal function and lead to chronic kidney disease. However, the pathological processes leading to the development of renal injury and disease progression remain poorly understood. To investigate the mechanisms of disease development in glomerulonephritis various animal models have been developed, which include as the most popular one the induction of glomerulonephritis by the injection of heterologous antibodies directed to the glomerular basement membrane. The role of mast cells and mast cell-derived mediators has been evaluated in these models. In this chapter we describe the methods that allow to set up and study the disease parameters of immune- mediated glomerulonephritis development.