Differentiation of renal tubular epithelium in renal transplantation cytology.

Increased numbers of renal tubular epithelial cells are present in the urinary sediments of renal transplant recipients during acute rejection. Few investigators have described characteristics of renal tubular epithelial cells in cytologic preparations. This study compiles morphologic characteristics of various tubular epithelial cells and determines the type of the tubular cells present during acute allograft rejection. The results demonstrate that cuboidal forms from the small collecting ducts are the predominent tubular epithelial cells exfoliated in voided urine during acute allograft rejection.