Physical, chemical and biological controls on the origin, crystallization and dissolution of human kidney stones

Kidney stones are mineral deposits in the renal system that afflict 1 in 11 people worldwide and the incidence and prevalence is increasing globally. Over 70% of stones are composed of calcium oxalate and other mineralogies include struvite, brushite, and apatite. Currently, stones are thought to be relatively insoluble mineral deposits that undergo few physical, chemical and biological post-depositional changes (diagenesis) such as dissolution and recrystallization. Furthermore, with the exception of struvite mineralogy, stones are generally considered sterile and microbial influences on stone formation are nil. This is in contrast to rock deposits in the natural environment, such as hot springs and coral reefs, where diagenesis and microbially-mediated mineral crystallization and dissolution processes are ubiquitous. In the current dissertation, a new multidisciplinary approach combining geology, biology, urology and microscopy (GeoBioMed) applies advanced optical microscopy techniques (e.g., brightfield, polarization, confocal and super-resolution auto-fluorescence) and geoscience concepts (e.g., Law of Superposition, paragenesis, diagenesis, microbial protein catalysis) to evaluate kidney stones in the context of renal physiology and mineral stratigraphy. Results indicate that kidney stones are composed of intricate crystalline architectures that entomb a well-preserved bacterial and fungal community during multiple repeated cycles of crystallization, dissolution and recrystallization. An estimated >80% of any given stone has been dissolved and reformed in vivo and the extensive diagenetic alteration that takes place establishes kidney stone formation as a natural continuum of mineralogical reactions events. By integrating newly developed technologies and geoscience concepts and approaches, the work from this dissertation has resulted in a new synthesis for stone pathophysiology that identifies multiple specific unexpected therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of kidney stone disease.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Molecular & Integrative Physi

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2020

Author dc:creator

• Saw, Jessica Jia-Wen

Contributors dc:contributor

• Fouke, Bruce W
• Sweedler, Jonathan V
• Nelson, Erik R
• Tsai, Nien-Pei

• nephrolithiasis
• urolithiasis
• kidney stones
• microscopy
• geobiology
• biomineralization

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2020 Jessica Saw

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/108172

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/108172