title: A microscopic view on the renal endothelial glycocalyx.
abstract: Endothelial cells perform key homeostatic functions such as regulating blood flow, permeability, and aiding immune surveillance for pathogens. While endothelial activation serves normal physiological adaptation, maladaptation of these endothelial functions has been identified as an important effector mechanism in the progression of renal disease as well as the associated development of cardiovascular disease. The primary interface between blood and the endothelium is the glycocalyx. This carbohydrate-rich gel-like structure with its associated proteins mediates most of the regulatory functions of the endothelium. Because the endothelial glycocalyx is a highly dynamic and fragile structure ex vivo, and traditional tissue processing for staining and perfusion-fixation usually results in a partial or complete loss of the glycocalyx, studying its dimensions and function has proven to be challenging. In this review, we will outline the core functions of the glycocalyx and focus on different techniques to study structure-function relationships in kidney and vasculature.
authors: Department of Nephrology, Einthoven laboratory for Vascular Medicine, LUMC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands;
authors: Martijn J C
authors: MJ
authors: Dane
authors: Department of Nephrology, Einthoven laboratory for Vascular Medicine, LUMC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands;
authors: Bernard M
authors: BM
authors: van den Berg
authors: Department of Nephrology, Einthoven laboratory for Vascular Medicine, LUMC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands;
authors: Dae Hyun
authors: DH
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Nephrology, Einthoven laboratory for Vascular Medicine, LUMC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands;
authors: Margien G S
authors: MG
authors: Boels
authors: Department of Nephrology, Einthoven laboratory for Vascular Medicine, LUMC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands;
authors: Gesa L
authors: GL
authors: Tiemeier
authors: Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Section Electron Microscopy LUMC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands;
authors: M Cristina
authors: MC
authors: Avramut
authors: Department of Nephrology, Einthoven laboratory for Vascular Medicine, LUMC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands;
authors: Anton Jan
authors: AJ
authors: van Zonneveld
authors: Department of Nephrology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; and.
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: van der Vlag
authors: Department of Physiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Vink
authors: Department of Nephrology, Einthoven laboratory for Vascular Medicine, LUMC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; t.rabelink@lumc.nl.
authors: Ton J
authors: TJ
authors: Rabelink
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D019276:Glycocalyx / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013194:Staining and Labeling
keywords: endothelial glycocalyx; endothelial surface layer; glomerular endothelium; imaging; renal