Endocytosis of Calcium Oxalate Crystals and Proliferation of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells in a Patient with Type 1 Primary Hyperoxaluria

Abstract

A patient with primary hyperoxaluria who received a liver-kidney transplant is presented. A postoperative renal biopsy showed apparent tubular cell endocytosis of calcium oxalate crystals and cell proliferation, indicating that renal epithelial cells do not perceive urinary crystals as inert. Such cellular responses to crystals may have a role in nephrolithiasis.