The podocyte: from bench to bedside.
The understanding of the molecular structure of the podocyte has increased considerabely in recent 5 years by genetic research in inherited glomerulopathies. Injury to the podocyte often leads to a reorganisation of the slit diaphragm and to foot process effacement, which can be noted in all forms of the nephrotic syndrome. Since the recent progress in our understanding of the molecular biology of the podocyte, it has become obvious that the podocyte is crucial in the pathogenesis of not only genetic but also of many acquired glomerulopathies such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous glomerulopathy and diabetic nephropathy. In this review we provide a summary of the recent physiological and molecular insights into the podocyte and of its significance in different glomerulopathies.
Scharpé
J
J
Univerisity Hospital Leuven, Department of Nephrology, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven. john.scharpe@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Maes
B
B
Van Damme
B
B
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D018450:Disease Progression; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008967:Molecular Biology; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000804:Angiotensin II