Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
By reducing the plasma concentration of nephrotoxic myeloma paraproteins, plasmapheresis could promote recovery of renal function and lessen the need for chronic dialysis in patients with myeloma cast nephropathy. Weighing up the findings and limitations of the three randomized controlled trials of plasmapheresis conducted to date in myeloma cast nephropathy, the author considers whether there is, or might be in future, a place for it in this setting.
Authors from the Autonomic Dysfunction Center at Vanderbilt University present an overview of what is known about this poorly understood and often overlooked form of blood pressure dysregulation. The definition, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of orthostatic hypertension, and conditions associated with it, are touched on. Through their comprehensive analysis, Fessel and Robertson detect the gaps in knowledge that should direct future research.
Neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells mediate the inflammatory response which damages the kidney during ischemia–reperfusion. This Review provides a concise summary of the complex hypoxia-induced interactions between these components of the immune system. The role of the renal-circulation regulator adenosine and its cellular receptors is then discussed, and the potential for adenosine agonists to ameliorate ischemia–reperfusion injury examined.
Elucidating protein profiles that can provide diagnostic and prognostic information is the aim of an increasing number of proteomics projects. This daunting task is being advanced by the continual improvement of high-throughput technologies. Here, Michael Goligorsky and colleagues introduce us to these techniques, and describe how they might be applied to renal tissues and urine. Data from early studies of diseases of native and grafted kidneys are presented.