What podocytes are and their function?
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 podocyte apoptosis?
Podocytes are terminally differentiated and highly specialized cells that are required for normal glomerular function. Podocyte loss due to apoptosis or detachment is a key component of progressive glomerulosclerosis.
What is podocyte biology?
The visceral glomerular epithelial cell, also called podocyte, is a terminally differentiated cell that lines the outer aspect of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). It therefore forms the final barrier to protein loss, which explains why podocyte injury is typically associated with marked proteinuria.
What are podocytes derived from?
In the embryo, most kidney cells, including glomerular podocytes, develop from the intermediate mesoderm that is, in turn, derived from the mesoderm germ layer25.
What is Mesangium in the kidney?
Mesangial cells are specialised cells in the kidney that make up the mesangium of the glomerulus. Together with the mesangial matrix, they form the vascular pole of the renal corpuscle. The mesangial cell population accounts for approximately 30-40% of the total cells in the glomerulus.
Why do we need podocytes?
Abstract. 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 podocytes present?
Bowman’s capsule
Explanation: Podocytes, also known as foot cells, are specialized cells with a unique shape that surround the glomerulus in the epithelial visceral inner layer of Bowman’s capsule. The pedicers have foot-like appendages or extensions. As a result, they’re known as foot cells.
What type of cells are podocytes?
Podocytes (also known as visceral epithelial cells) are highly specialized cells found in the glomeruli of kidney nephrons. Podocytes wrap the external surface of the basal lamina of the glomerular capillaries (Figure 1).
What causes FSGS kidney disease?
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as diabetes, sickle cell disease, other kidney diseases and obesity. It can also be caused by an infection and drug toxicity. A rare form of FSGS is caused by inherited abnormal genes.
What is purpose of mesangial cells?
Mesangial cells lie close to the capillary lumen and play an important role in glomerular hemodynamics and immune complex clearance. The mesangial cells produce a matrix made up of collagen, fibronectin, and proteglycans that supports the glomerular capillaries.
What are podocytes in the kidney?
Podocytes are highly specialized cells of the kidney glomerulus that wrap around capillaries and that neighbor cells of the Bowman’s capsule.