Macrophages and hypoxia in human chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease is characterized by progressive interstitial fibrosis, reduced blood flow, and tubular atrophy, which present a common pathway of destruction irrespective of the initial underlying pathology. There is comprehensive evidence that the interactions of infiltrating macrophages with resident tissue cells play a critical role in this process. A new study now describes the correlation between macrophages, capillary density, and interstitial scarring and suggests distinct differences in early and advanced renal disease.