Podocytes and glomerular function with aging.
Kidney function declines with age in association with the development of age-associated glomerulosclerosis. The well-established structural and functional changes with age are reviewed briefly. The modification of aging pathology by calorie restriction is discussed. The role of the podocyte as a critical cell in the aging process is considered, using animal models and human biopsy material. Newer data on changes in gene expression and possible changes in biology in the glomerulus are discussed. There is speculation on the implications of this change in biology for human disease and progression.
Wiggins
Jocelyn
J
Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5676, USA. wiggi@umich.edu
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050199:Podocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats