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J Pediatr Genet 2016; 05(01): 025-032
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1557110
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Genetics of Urinary Tract Infections and the Innate Defense of the Kidney and Urinary tract

Ines Ambite   *
1   Section of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
,
Gustav Rydstrom   *
1   Section of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
,
Andrew L. Schwaderer
2   Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States
,
David S. Hains
3   Children's Foundation Research Institute at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
4   Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

12 July 2014

02 April 2015

Publication Date:
13 August 2015 (online)

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Abstract

The urinary tract is a sterile organ system. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and often serious infections. Research has focused on uropathogen, environment, and host factors leading to UTI pathogenesis. A growing body of evidence exists implicating genetic factors that can contribute to UTI risks. In this review, we highlight genetic variations in aspects of the innate immune system critical to the host response to uropathogens. This overview includes genetic variations in pattern recognition receptor molecules, chemokines/cytokines, and neutrophil activation. We also comprehensively cover murine knockout models of UTI, genetic variations involved in renal scarring as a result of ascending UTIs, and asymptomatic bacteriuria.

Keywords

innate immunity - genetics - urinary tract infections - asymptomatic bacteriuria

* Dr. Ambite and Dr. Rydstrom contributed equally to this work.


 

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