title: Crosstalk in glomerular injury and repair.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The glomerulus is a unique structure required for filtration of blood, while retaining plasma proteins based on size and charge selectivity. Distinct cell types form the structural unit that creates the filtration barrier. Structurally, fenestrated endothelial cells line the capillary loops and lie in close contact with mesangial cells. Podocytes are connected by specialized intercellular junctions known as slit diaphragms and separated from the endothelial compartment by the glomerular basement membrane. In order for this highly specialized structure to function, cross-communication between these cells must occur.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although classical studies have established key roles for vascular endothelial and platelet-derived growth factors in glomerular cross-communication, novel paracrine signaling pathways within the glomerulus have recently been identified. In addition, unique cellular pathways of established signaling cascades have been identified that are important for maintaining glomerular barrier function in health and disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Here, we will review our current understanding of the processes of cross-communication between the unique cellular constituents forming the glomerular filtration unit. We will highlight recent findings of cellular crosstalk via signaling pathways that regulate glomerular barrier function in pathophysiological conditions.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark bDepartment of Clinical Cell Biology and Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine cDivision of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan dFeinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute and Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dimke
authors.forename: Yoshiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maezawa
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Quaggin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000378:metabolism*; D050527:Mesangial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D050199:Podocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism