Neutrophils in cisplatin AKI—mediator or marker?

Abstract

Inflammation is an important mediator of most forms of acute kidney injury (AKI). Although neutrophils are prominent components of theinflammatory cascade, the precise role of neutrophils in AKI and the mechanisms by which they contribute to AKI remain controversial. In this issue, Deng etal. identify an important cross talk between renal epithelial cells and neutrophils involving the production and action ofleukotriene B4 in mediating cisplatin AKI. We discuss the possible explanations for the discrepant findings that have been reported for neutrophils in cisplatin AKI.