Renal Heterogeneity and Target Cell Toxicity

This contributed volume addresses the study of renal heterogeneity and examines the question of why selected chemicals damage only certain cells to produce nephrotoxic effects. The chemicals concerned include both therapeutically used substances and a variety of other chemicals to which man may be exposed. The kidney represents a very complex organ in which there are a large number of morphologically different cell types, all of which work together to achieve the successful maintenance of body fluids and to remove waste. It is very susceptible to the toxic effects of many therapeutic substances and environmental chemicals, and since there is a very large functional reserve present in a normal healthy kidney, a great deal of damage can be caused before it becomes clinically apparent. Often these degenerative changes are irreversible, leaving the renal function severely impaired. The study of nephrotoxicity is complicated by the fact that certain chemicals target very selectively for morphologically discrete cell types, but this does offer the potential for understanding why certain cells are adversely affected by a specific chemical.