The glomerular fixation of anti-glomerular-basement-membrane (antiGBM) antibody is associated with complement activation, neutrophil accumulation, and renal injury. This injury manifests both as an increase in the rate of urinary protein excretion and altered renal hemodynamic characteristics. We have utilized an isolated perfused kidney system (IPK) to assess the capacity of antiGBM antibody t...

E. coli is the most common Gram-negative bacteria causing neonatal meningitis, and E. coli meningitis continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Recent reports of E. coli meningitis caused by antimicrobial resistant strains are a particular concern. These findings indicate that a novel strategy is needed to identify new targets for prevention and therapy...

Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) might be one of the most common problems in urological clinics. Recent research has revealed novel evidence about recurrent UTI and it should be considered a different disease from the first infection. The pathogenesis of recurrent UTI might include two mechanisms, bacterial factors and deficiencies in host defense. Bacterial survival in the urinary bladd...

BACKGROUND Filaggrin is an epidermal protein that is crucial for skin barrier function. Up to 10% of Europeans and 5% of Asians carry at least one null allele in the filaggrin gene (FLG). Reduced expression of filaggrin in carriers of the null allele is associated with facilitated transfer of allergens across the epidermis. We hypothesized that these individuals may have increased transdermal u...

Neural-epithelial interactions are hypothesized to play an important role in bladder function. We determined whether spinal cord injury (SCI) altered several indicators of urinary bladder epithelium barrier function, including continuity of the surface umbrella cell layer, transepithelial resistance (TER), and urea and water permeability. Within 2 h of SCI, significant changes in uroepithelium ...

Understanding of the role of urothelium in regulating bladder function is continuing to evolve. While the urothelium is thought to function primarily as a barrier for preventing injurious substances and microorganisms from gaining access to bladder stroma and upper urinary tract, studies indicate it may also function in cell signaling events relating to voiding function. This review highlights ...

Primary defects in either podocytes or the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) cause proteinuria, a fact that complicates defining the barrier to albumin. Laminin beta2 (LAMB2) is a GBM component required for proper functioning of the glomerular filtration barrier. To investigate the GBM's role in glomerular filtration, we characterized GBM and overlying podocyte architecture in relation to deve...

BACKGROUND A familial defect in intestinal barrier function has been found in Crohn's disease. AIM To investigate possible genetic and environmental influences on this barrier defect by studying intestinal permeability in both relatives and spouses of patients with Crohn's disease. SUBJECTS The study included 39 patients with Crohn's disease, 34 healthy first degree relatives, and 22 spouse...

In the last two decades a great progress was observed in understanding of podocytes, their specific structure and function identifying many specific podocyte proteins, such as nephrin and podocalyxin. Podocytes form the final barrier to plasma proteins leakage. Nephrin as a main component of the filtration diaphragm forms a physical barrier while podocalyxin as sialoglycoprotein forms an electr...

results mean urinary il-1α, il-4, il-6, and il-8 concentrations significantly increased in the acute phase of apn compared to the control group, and decreased following antibiotic treatment. conclusions we recommend routine urinalysis and urine culture for the diagnosis of children with apn. urinary il-4 was a relatively good cytokine for the prediction and treatment-monitoring of children with...