title: [Pathogenetic aspectics of nephrotic syndrome].
abstract: Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by protein loss in the urine, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia and edema. Several diseases cause a nephrotic syndrome, as they damage the glomerular podocytes. These specialized epithelial cells, together with endothelial cells of the glomerular capillaries and the basal membrane, form a filter that retains plasma proteins in the circulation. A disturbance of this filter causes proteinuria. The three most common primary glomerular diseases are minimal change, membranous glomerulonephritis, and the primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The familiar forms are rare; however, the identification of the relevant gene defects has greatly advanced our understanding of podocyte function as well as the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik IV, Universitätsklinikum, Freiburg, Germany. walz@med1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Walz
mesh_terms: D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C407223:NPHS2 protein; D011506:Proteins; C113267:nephrin