Which cells form the bulk of a proliferating cellular crescent in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis?

• A Mesangial cells with smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblasts
• B Visceral epithelial cells (podocytes) with endothelial cells
• C Parietal epithelial cells with infiltrating monocytes and macrophages ✓
• D Tubular epithelial cells migrating from proximal tubules

Explanation

Crescents arise from proliferation of parietal epithelial cells lining Bowman capsule together with infiltrating blood-derived monocytes and macrophages, triggered by severe GBM injury that allows fibrin and inflammatory mediators into Bowman space. Podocytes and mesangial cells do not line Bowman capsule and do not form the crescent mass; fibrin deposition within the crescent is characteristic but fibrin itself is not a cellular constituent.

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.