Crescents seen in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis are formed primarily by proliferation of which cells, together with infiltrating monocytes and macrophages?

• A Endothelial cells of the glomerular capillaries
• B Mesangial cells
• C Visceral epithelial cells (podocytes)
• D Parietal epithelial cells of Bowman capsule ✓

Explanation

Severe glomerular injury allows fibrin and inflammatory mediators to leak into Bowman space through gaps in the GBM. This stimulates proliferation of parietal epithelial cells lining Bowman capsule, accompanied by macrophage influx, forming the cellular crescent that later becomes fibrocellular and fibrous. Podocyte proliferation is not a feature of crescents. Mesangial and endocapillary hypercellularity occur in proliferative GN but do not themselves constitute the crescent.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.