Autoimmunity of patients with TINU syndrome

Publication date: October 2011 Source:Hong Kong Journal of Nephrology, Volume 13, Issue 2 Author(s): Ying Tan , Feng Yu , Ming-Hui Zhao Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome is characterized by tubulointerstitial nephritis with bilateral sudden-onset anterior uveitis. Currently, only over 200 cases have been described in the literature. TINU syndrome might be underestimated due to lack of recognition and under-diagnosis. The pathogenesis of TINU syndrome remains unclear. It has been reported to be associated with infection, drugs or autoimmune diseases. However, TINU syndrome is mostly postulated to be the result of an autoimmune process. It may involve both humoral and cellular autoimmunity, with more evidence of the latter since obvious disturbances of cell-mediated immunity have been noted in patients with TINU syndrome. Recently, autoantibodies directed against renal tubular cells have thrown new light on the role of humoral autoimmunity in TINU syndrome. It is postulated that renal tubular and ciliary body epithelia might share cross-reactive autoantigens since the major characteristics of TINU syndrome are the involvement of the kidneys and eyes, and renal tubular and ciliary body epithelia share some similar functions. This review updates the current understanding on TINU syndrome, especially its autoimmune nature. 肾小管间质性肾炎-眼色素膜炎 (TINU) 综合征是一种以肾间质损伤和眼色素膜炎为主要表现的的疾病...
Source: Hong Kong Journal of Nephrology - Category: Urology & Nephrology Source Type: research