What are glomerular podocytes?

What are glomerular podocytes?

Podocytes are highly specialized cells of the kidney glomerulus that wrap around capillaries and that neighbor cells of the Bowman’s capsule.

What causes podocyte damage?

The major causes (genetic or acquired) of foot processes effacement are impaired formation of the slit diaphragm complex, abnormality of the GBM or adhesion of podocytes to the GBM, abnormalities in the cytoskeleton or associated proteins, and alterations in the apical membrane domain of the podocyte.

Are podocytes pericytes?

Podocytes reside as specialized pericytes covering the glomerular capillary endothelial cells towards the parietal epithelial cells that coat Bowman’s capsule (Fig. Together, primary and foot processes cover the major part of the capillary surface.

What do podocytes do in the kidney?

Podocytes are cells in Bowman’s capsule in the kidneys that wrap around capillaries of the glomerulus. Podocytes make up the epithelial lining of Bowman’s capsule, the third layer through which filtration of blood takes place.

What is the podocyte function?

Podocytes play an important role in glomerular function. Together with endothelial cells of the glomerular capillary loop and the glomerular basement membrane they form a filtration barrier. Podocytes cooperate with mesangial cells to support the structure and function of the glomerulus.

Where are the podocyte cells located?

kidney
Podocytes are found lining the Bowman’s capsules in the nephrons of the kidney. The foot processes known as pedicels that extend from the podocytes wrap themselves around the capillaries of the glomerulus to form the filtration slits.

Can loss of healthy podocytes be responsible for proteinuria?

Consequences of podocyte injury The resulting loss of podocyte will ultimately lead to irreversible glomerulosclerosis and end-stage renal failure (ESRD). The role of proteinuria in the progression of ESRD is a matter of debate.

What is the function of the foot processes of podocytes?

The podocytes have long foot processes called pedicels, for which the cells are named (podo- + -cyte). The pedicels wrap around the capillaries and leave slits between them….

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