Interstitial foam cells in the nephrotic syndrome belong to the monocyte/macrophage lineage.

Abstract

Interstitial foam cells are occasionally seen in patients with the nephrotic syndrome. In a group of patients with the nephrotic syndrome we were able to demonstrate that these cells express markers characteristic of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Their presence was related to the previous duration of proteinuria, but they had no apparent influence on the subsequent evolution of renal function. The mechanisms leading to their presence are unknown.