Tubular epithelial cells: A critical cell type in the regulation of renal inflammatory processes

Most chronic human kidney diseases are characterized by a final common pathway consisting of interstitial inflammation and ultimately leading to interstitial fibrosis. Within this process, tubular epithelial cells (TECs) play a critical role. Both in vitro and in vivo it has been demonstrated that TECs are an important source of various cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix components. In the present review we will outline the capacity of TECs to produce inflammatory mediators and discuss the different mechanisms involved in the regulation of production of these mediators.