Podocytes as target of vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency is a prominent feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD) even in its early stages. While vitamin D deficiency leads to mineral imbalance and bone problems in CDK patients, it also accelerates the progression of kidney disease. Ever since the observation that vitamin D analogs reduce proteinuria in CKD patients, it has been postulated that podocytes are major target of the reno-protective action of vitamin D. Recent large randomized clinical trials have confirmed the potent anti-proteinuric activity of vitamin D therapy. Studies from various animal models of kidney disease have demonstrated that vitamin D prevents podocyte injury and cell loss, promotes the expression of slit diaphragm proteins and maintains the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. Emerging experimental data suggest that vitamin D may protect podocytes by targeting multiple pathways, including the renin-angiotensin system, Wnt/β-catenin pathway and pro-apoptotic pathway.
Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, 900 E. 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. cyan@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
Yan Chun
YC
Li
D000818:Animals; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D050199:Podocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
D014807:Vitamin D