The results describe for the first time the anti-inflammatory effect of a cold shock protein in the kidney. Specialized cells in the renal corpuscles release the molecule under investigation and use it to prevent the activation of emergency signals in the kidney tissue," explains Mertens, comparing this mode of operation to a constantly activated safety alarm system that activates the blood defence system’s guards in the event of an interruption in order to release an inflammatory program of the blood defence system in the event of impending kidney damage.
When the studies were started more than seven years ago, we had expected the opposite result," says Professor Isermann. These results show that the inflammation in the kidney is actively inhibited. If this inhibition is removed, the kidney can react immediately. This work shows that the kidney has a very active role in controlling inflammation. This may enable new diagnostic or therapeutic approaches." So far, the findings have been obtained in cell cultures and animal models, which establishes a new model for organ communication. Future studies using human kidney tissue from biopsies are planned. "The protective mechanisms in the kidney were previously known primarily to prevent high blood pressure damage, but the new findings suggest that a separate communication system exists within the kidney to report malfunctions," says Mertens.
The research results open up new possibilities for future therapies that improve and maintain kidney communication. At the same time, they could help to prevent false alarms. In this context, the two research groups are planning further collaborations and projects. The study was funded by the German Research Foundation.
