Chronic kidney disease is characterized by progressive interstitial fibrosis, reduced blood
flow, and tubular atrophy, which present a common pathway of destruction irrespective of the
initial underlying pathology. There is comprehensive evidence that the interactions of
infiltrating macrophages with resident tissue cells play a critical role in this process. A new
study now describes the correlation between macrophages, capillary density, and interstitial
scarring and suggests distinct differences in early and advanced renal disease.