Contributions of mesangial cells to glomerular immune functions

Mesangial cells play an important role in the maintenance of the structure and function of the glomerulus. In addition mesangial cells are capable of macromolecular uptake, and generation of autocoids and cytokines. Our studies have explored the mechanism of IgG uptake by cultured rat mesangial cells. Mesangial cells were found to express Fc receptors for IgG as demonstrated by specific binding studies, indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoblotting and Northern blot analysis. The number of Fc receptors for IgG on mesangial cells was upregulated by interferon gamma, cyclic AMP and monocyte-macrophage specific colony stimulating factor — CSF-1.