Table of contents : Acknowledgements Contents The Role of Chemokine Receptors in Renal Fibrosis 1 Introduction 2 CXC Chemokine Receptors 2.1 CXCR1/CXCR2 2.2 CXCR3 2.3 CXCR4 2.4 CXCR6 3 C-C Chemokine Receptors 3.1 CCR1 3.2 CCR2 3.3 CCR7 4 CX3C Chemokine Receptor 4.1 CX3CR1 5 Other Chemokine Receptors 6 Discussion References Inflammatory Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in Familial Hypercholesterolemia 1 Introduction 2 Lipids and Inflammation: A Deadly Combination in FH Patients 3 Inflammatory Biomarkers in FH 4 C-Reactive Protein (CRP) 5 Soluble Adhesion Molecules 6 Cytokines 7 OxLDL 8 Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 9 CD16+Monocytes 10 Mean Platelet Volume 11 Neopterin 12 CV Risk Assessment in Patients with FH 13 Conclusion References Beyond the Paradigm: Novel Functions of Renin-Producing Cells 1 Background: The Classical View on Renal Renin-Producing Cells (RPC) Within Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) 2 RPC Beyond RAS 2.1 Progenitor Cell Pool 2.1.1 Nephrogenesis 2.1.2 Adult Kidney 2.2 Neogenesis and Recruitment 2.3 Protection of Renal Microvascular Endothelium 3 Renin Lineage Cells 4 Future Perspectives References Role of ASIC1a in Normal and Pathological Synaptic Plasticity 1 Introduction 2 ASIC1a Structure and Location 3 Experimental Tools to Investigate ASIC1a 3.1 Endogenous Modulators 3.2 Polypeptide Toxins 3.3 Chemicals 3.4 ASIC Knockout Mice 4 Role of ASIC1a in Normal Synaptic Plasticity 4.1 Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) 4.2 Long-Term Depression (LTD) 5 Role of ASIC1a in Pathological Synaptic Plasticity 5.1 Alzheimer´s Disease 5.2 Multiple Sclerosis 5.3 Cocaine Addiction 6 Discussion and Conclusion References Stationary and Nonstationary Ion and Water Flux Interactions in Kidney Proximal Tubule: Mathematical Analysis of Isosmotic Tra... 1 Introduction 2 Description of the Minimalistic Model 2.1 Functional Organization of Proximal Tubule Epithelium 2.2 Solute Flux Equations 2.3 Water Flux Equations 2.4 Compliant Model and Volumes of Intraepithelial Compartments 2.5 Electrical-Circuit Analysis 2.6 Nomenclature and Sign Conventions 2.7 Numerical Methods 2.8 Choice of Independent Variables 2.9 Geometrical Dimensions and Units of Physical Quantities 3 Results 3.1 General Features 3.2 A Component of Na+ Uptake Bypasses the Pump 3.3 Inhibition of the Na+/K+ Pump 3.4 Effect of Adding Glucose 3.5 Blocking Water Channels of Apical Membrane 3.6 Volume Response of the Epithelium to a Luminal Osmotic Pulse 3.7 Uphill Water Transport and Intraepithelial Water Fluxes 3.8 Isosmotic Transport 4 Discussion 4.1 The Coupling Between Active Sodium Transport and Fluid Uptake 4.2 Eliminating the Osmotic Permeability of Apical Membrane 4.3 Transepithelial Osmotic Permeability Versus Osmotic Permeability of Individual Membranes 4.4 Truly Isosmotic Transport 5 Additional Information Appendix 1: Nomenclature Appendix 2: Independent Variables References Correction to: Stationary and Nonstationary Ion and Water Flux Interactions in Kidney Proximal Tubule: Mathematical Analysis o... Correction to: Chapter ``Stationary and Nonstationary Ion and Water Flux Interactions in Kidney Proximal Tubule: Mathematical ...