Programmed anti-inflammatory macrophages protect against AKI and promote repair through trophic actions

Abstract

Because pharmacological interventions for the treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) have remained ineffective, cell-based therapies have been developed. Marrow stromal cells have been found to be safe and potentially effective in study subjects. Jung et al. demonstrate that macrophages made to overexpress anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 protect rats with AKI through iron-mediated upregulation of lipocalin-2 and its receptors, eliciting both anti-inflammatory and proliferative responses. These data further advance our understanding of cell-based therapies for AKI. © 2012 International Society of Nephrology.