Figure 8
Potential effect of stimulated GEnCs in LN based on the in vitro findings. Under the highly inflammatory environment created within the glomeruli by the presence of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-13 and IFN-γ but also by the potential presence of LPS, the human GEnCs will be activated to produce, secrete and express a variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, blood cell growth factors and adhesion molecules that will further exacerbate the renal disease by either promoting the infiltration of immune cells within the glomeruli or by activating their neighbouring renal cells, the podocytes and mesangial cells.
