Details for: CL1000500

Cell ID: CL1000500

Cell Name: kidney interstitial cell

Description: A cell that is part of kidney interstitium.

Selected Context(s): Overall

Gene Significance Landscape

Display Options
Score:
Display
Genes

Contexts:

Cell Significance Index (CSI) is uniquely calculated to reveal cell-specific gene markers. More info here

Significant Genes List

Genes with the highest and lowest Percentile Rank Scores (PRS) for kidney interstitial cell within the selected context(s).

Gene ID: A unique numerical identifier for this specific gene.
Symbol: Shortened abbreviation or name that represents this gene.
Ensembl Gene ID: A unique identifier assigned by Ensembl for genomic data mapping.
CSI Score: A combined effect size and statistical significance measure for kidney interstitial cell. Higher scores indicate a stronger, more significant difference in expression.
(Previously described as "Fold Change", but now represents Cliff's Delta × –log10(p).)

Gene ID: A unique numerical identifier for this specific gene.
Symbol: Shortened abbreviation or name that represents this gene.
Ensembl Gene ID: A unique identifier assigned by Ensembl for genomic data mapping.
CSI Score: A combined effect size and statistical significance measure for kidney interstitial cell. Higher scores indicate a stronger, more significant difference in expression.
Average CSI: csi sum / gene count
Cell network configuration

This network visualizes key genes for kidney interstitial cell. It primarily includes:
1. Top genes highly significant for this cell (Num. Top Cell Genes - based on the 'Min. CSI' setting).
2. Any additional specific 'Context Genes' you add below.
The final network is a combined view. Choose an Interaction Source (pathways or protein interactions) and optionally compare CSI scores with a Baseline Cell Type.

Maximum number of selected genes.
Select a context for the baseline cell.
Select a context for the target cell.
Target Cell for CSI:  kidney interstitial cell (CL1000500)

 Legend
Nodes (Genes):
 Query Gene
Node size also reflects Target Cell CSI magnitude.
Node Color (Target Cell CSI in specific network):
 Very High
 High
 Medium
 Low
 Very Low
 N/A or Not Sig.
Edges (Interactions):
 STRING (Protein-Protein)
 ONTOLOGY (Shared Pathway)
 Colors vary by pathway category; default arrow applies.

Loading network (please wait)...

## Summary The [kidney interstitial cell](/details-cell/CL1000500) is a cellular component of the kidney interstitium. Based on its gene significance profile, this cell type is characterized by an exceptionally high level of metabolic activity, driven by robust expression of mitochondrial genes involved in aerobic respiration. Top markers such as [ND4](/details-gene/4538), [ND2](/details-gene/4536), and [COX1](/details-gene/4512) suggest a primary role in energy production. Concurrently, the high significance of genes involved in iron homeostasis ([FTH1](/details-gene/2495)) and cytoskeletal function ([MYL6](/details-gene/4637)) points to a specialized cell equipped to support energy-intensive physiological processes within the kidney microenvironment while managing the associated oxidative stress. ## Key Characteristics and Function The functional identity of the [kidney interstitial cell](/details-cell/CL1000500) is dominated by several key biological themes, as revealed by its top marker genes in the **Overall** context. * **Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism:** The most prominent feature of this cell is a profound signature of mitochondrial gene expression. A large number of the top markers are core components of the electron transport chain, including NADH dehydrogenase subunits ([ND4](/details-gene/4538), [ND2](/details-gene/4536), [ND1](/details-gene/4535)), cytochrome c oxidase subunits ([COX1](/details-gene/4512), [COX2](/details-gene/4513), [COX7C](/details-gene/1350]), cytochrome b ([CYTB](/details-gene/4519]), and ATP synthase ([ATP6](/details-gene/4508)). This collective high significance strongly indicates that the cell's primary function is centered around high-capacity aerobic respiration and ATP production, likely to fuel demanding processes within the renal interstitium. * **Iron Homeostasis and Oxidative Stress Management:** The high significance of both ferritin heavy and light chains ([FTH1](/details-gene/2495) and [FTL](/details-gene/2512)) suggests a crucial role in sequestering intracellular iron. This is consistent with the high metabolic rate, as it would be necessary to manage the iron required for mitochondrial cytochromes while preventing iron-catalyzed oxidative damage. The strong signal for Glutathione S-Transferase Pi 1 ([GSTP1](/details-gene/2950)), a key enzyme in detoxification and antioxidant defense, further supports this protective function. * **Protein Synthesis and Turnover:** A suite of markers including [SRP14](/details-gene/6727), involved in targeting proteins for secretion, and [EEF1D](/details-gene/1936), an elongation factor in translation, points to active protein synthesis. Furthermore, the significance of [SKP1](/details-gene/6500) and [SUMO2](/details-gene/6613) indicates robust post-translational modification and protein quality control pathways, particularly ubiquitination and SUMOylation, which are essential in highly active cells. * **Cytoskeletal and Signaling Functions:** The myosin light chain gene [MYL6](/details-gene/4637) is a top marker, suggesting the presence of a well-developed contractile or motile apparatus. Calcium signaling is implicated through the calmodulin gene [CALM2](/details-gene/805). Additionally, the high significance of [IGFBP7](/details-gene/3490), an insulin-like growth factor binding protein involved in cell growth regulation and senescence, suggests this cell actively communicates with its microenvironment. * **Lack of Dominant Fibrotic Signature:** The analysis of anti-markers is informative. The low significance scores for several collagen genes ([COL3A1](/details-gene/1281), [COL18A1](/details-gene/80781), [COL21A1](/details-gene/81578)) and the extracellular matrix protein tenascin C ([TNC](/details-gene/3371)) may suggest that, in this context, the primary role of this cell population is not bulk extracellular matrix production. This distinguishes it from a classic, pro-fibrotic myofibroblast phenotype. ## Clinical Significance and Contextual Roles **Overall**, the gene profile of the [kidney interstitial cell](/details-cell/CL1000500) highlights its potential involvement in kidney health and disease, particularly in scenarios involving high metabolic demand or stress. The extreme reliance on mitochondrial respiration makes this cell type a potential locus of vulnerability in mitochondrial dysfunction or hypoxic injury. The strong expression of iron-handling proteins ([FTH1](/details-gene/2495), [FTL](/details-gene/2512]) and the antioxidant enzyme [GSTP1](/details-gene/2950) points to a role in mitigating the oxidative stress that is a common feature of many forms of kidney disease. Clinically, the high significance of [IGFBP7](/details-gene/3490) is particularly relevant, as it is an established biomarker for the early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) ([Link](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7980422/)). Its prominence in this cell type suggests that kidney interstitial cells may be key sensors of renal stress, releasing [IGFBP7](/details-gene/3490) as a signaling molecule in response to injury. The expression of [ITM2B](/details-gene/9445), a gene linked to familial British dementia through protein aggregation ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1038/21637)), is an intriguing finding that may hint at broader roles in protein quality control under cellular stress, a process relevant to various proteinuric kidney diseases. ## Potential Mechanisms and Research Directions 1. **Hypothesis:** The [kidney interstitial cell](/details-cell/CL1000500) represents a metabolically hyperactive subpopulation specialized for supporting the high energy demands of adjacent tubular epithelial cells. Its robust expression of mitochondrial and iron-sequestering proteins ([FTH1](/details-gene/2495), [FTL](/details-gene/2512)) may serve as a protective adaptation to manage the high iron flux and oxidative stress inherent to intense aerobic respiration, thereby maintaining renal homeostasis. * **Surprising Findings:** The comparatively low significance of major extracellular matrix genes, such as [COL3A1](/details-gene/1281), is unexpected for a cell type within the interstitium. This suggests a functional specialization away from the canonical matrix-secreting role of fibroblasts and may define a distinct, non-fibrotic interstitial cell state. * **Testable Questions:** Can spatial transcriptomics or high-resolution imaging confirm the co-localization of this high-mitochondria interstitial cell population with specific, high-energy-demand segments of the renal tubule, such as the thick ascending limb? 2. **Hypothesis:** This cell type functions as a critical environmental sensor and first responder within the renal interstitium. Its gene expression profile, including high levels of the AKI biomarker [IGFBP7](/details-gene/3490) and detoxification enzyme [GSTP1](/details-gene/2950), suggests it is primed to detect and respond to metabolic, toxic, or oxidative insults, potentially initiating protective or regenerative signaling pathways in the early stages of kidney injury. * **Surprising Findings:** The high significance of [ITM2B](/details-gene/9445), a gene whose primary disease association is with neurodegenerative amyloidopathy, is unusual for a kidney cell. This could indicate a previously unrecognized role for this cell in managing protein misfolding or clearance in the renal microenvironment under stress conditions. * **Testable Questions:** Following the induction of AKI in an animal model, do these specific interstitial cells exhibit an early and significant increase in the secretion of [IGFBP7](/details-gene/3490) protein? Furthermore, would a conditional knockout of [IGFBP7](/details-gene/3490) specifically in this cell population alter the severity of injury or the subsequent repair process?