The interaction of activated leukocytes and renal resident cells is thought
to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. Recent inves
tigations of the pathophysiological roles of chemokines and their cognate r
eceptors have shed light on the detailed molecular mechanisms of leukocyte
trafficking and activation in the diseased kidneys. Chemokine/chemokine rec
eptor systems may be essentially involved in the pathogenesis of phase-spec
ific renal disorders and the measurement of urinary levels of chemokines ma
y be clinically useful for monitoring the different disease phases and acti
vities. In addition. chemokine receptors expressed in renal resident cells
ma?; be involved in proliferation, Fibrogenesis, as well as chemotaxis. The
selective intervention of chemokine/chemokine receptor systems (anti-chemo
kine therapy) may have the potential as the particular therapeutic strategi
es for renal diseases in future. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights
reserved.