Chronic kidney disease affects many people and is a growing health problem. One serious form is antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis, called AGN. In AGN, the immune system makes antibodies that attack the kidney filters and cause inflammation and injury.
A research team used a mouse model to watch the inflammatory process inside the kidney. They focused on immune cells called neutrophils and found that these cells increase a glucose transporter called Glut1. Glut1 moves glucose into cells and helps cells use energy.
The researchers then disabled Glut1 in neutrophils and saw less tissue damage. They also treated mice with a Glut1 inhibitor and found improved kidney pathology. The study was led by a university research team.
Difficult words
- glomerulonephritis — Inflammation of the small filters inside kidney
- antibody — A protein made by the immune system to bind targetsantibodies
- neutrophil — A type of white blood cell that fights infectionneutrophils
- glut1 — A protein that moves glucose into animal cells
- inflammation — The body's response to injury or infection
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you or someone you know had a long-term health problem like chronic kidney disease?
- Why is reducing tissue damage important when treating a disease?
- Do you think studying mice can help scientists understand human kidney disease? Why or why not?
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