Hoyer J R, Seiler M W
Kidney Int. 1979 Sep;16(3):279-89. doi: 10.1038/ki.1979.130.
Tamm-Horsfall protein, a renal glycoprotein present in normal urine, is the primary constituent of urinary casts. Immunoelectron microscopy has shown that this protein is localized selectively along surface membranes of the thick ascending loop of Henle. In this surface membrane site, the unique aggregation and gel formation of Tamm-Horsfall protein in response to increasing concentrations of electrolytes within physiologic ranges may influence the permeability characteristics of this nephron segment. These aggregation characteristics also play a role in pathologic conditions and lead to the prolonged persistence of interstitial Tamm-Horsfall protein deposits in several tubulointerstitial diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated immunologic responses to this protein, including an immune complex tubulointerstitial nephritis in rats mediated by autoantibodies to Tamm-Horsfall protein.
Tamm-Horsfall蛋白是一种存在于正常尿液中的肾脏糖蛋白，是尿沉渣的主要成分。免疫电子显微镜显示，这种蛋白选择性地定位于髓袢升支粗段的表面膜上。在这个表面膜部位，Tamm-Horsfall蛋白在生理范围内随着电解质浓度增加而发生独特的聚集和凝胶形成，这可能会影响该肾单位节段的通透性特征。这些聚集特性在病理情况下也起作用，并导致Tamm-Horsfall蛋白在几种肾小管间质性疾病中长时间持续存在于间质中。最近的研究表明了对这种蛋白的免疫反应，包括大鼠中由针对Tamm-Horsfall蛋白的自身抗体介导的免疫复合物性肾小管间质性肾炎。
