Immune and Inflammatory Role in Renal Disease

Abstract Chronic and acute renal diseases, irrespective of the initiating cause, have inflammation and immune system activation as a common underlying mechanism. The purpose of this review is to provide a broad overview of immune cells and inflammatory proteins that contribute to the pathogenesis of renal disease, and to discuss some of the physiological changes that occur in the kidney as a result of immune system activation. An overview of common forms of acute and chronic renal disease is provided, followed by a discussion of common therapies that have anti‐inflammatory or immunosuppressive effects in the treatment of renal disease. © 2013 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 3:957‐976, 2013.