title: Mesangial cell culture: its role in the understanding of the pathogenesis of glomerular disease.
abstract: Many forms of renal disease that progress to renal failure are characterised histologically by mesangial cell proliferation and accumulation of mesangial matrix. These diseases include IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis and diabetic nephropathy. In recent years the introduction of mesangial cell culture techniques has allowed investigators to characterise the mesangial cell and its functions and examine the role of the mesangial cell in the pathogenesis of glomerular disease. The properties of the mesangial cell include the ability to contract, certain macrophage functions, and the ability to synthesize matrix and produce growth factors and cytokines. Factors that control mesangial cell function include cytokines and growth mediators, matrix components including integrins, and interactions with other cells such as the endothelial and epithelial cells. When exposed to an injurious stimulus, the mesangial cell responds by cellular proliferation and matrix synthesis leading to an increase in mesangial cells and matrix accumulation that ultimately progresses to the development of glomerulosclerosis. A better understanding of this disease process will allow future investigators the opportunity to formulate therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004727:Endothelium / Q000166:cytology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances; D016023:Integrins