What is the function of podocyte cells?

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.

What kind of cell is podocyte?

epithelial cells
Podocytes are specialized epithelial cells that cover the outer surfaces of glomerular capillaries. Unique cell junctions, known as slit diaphragms, which feature nephrin and Neph family proteins in addition to components of adherens, tight, and gap junctions, connect adjacent podocyte foot processes.

What is the role of the protein Nephrin?

Nephrin proteins are essential for forming the slit diaphragm, anchoring the slit diaphragm to podocytes, and filtering blood. Nephrin is also involved in cell signaling. It relays signals from outside the cell to inside the cell.

What is podocyte foot process effacement?

In glomerular diseases, podocytes lose the usual interdigitating pattern of foot processes between neighboring podocytes, and this alteration, known as “foot process effacement,” is regarded as a pathologic indicator of podocyte injury.

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.

Are podocytes simple squamous epithelium?

The glomerular epithelium (podocytes) surrounding these capillaries are simple squamous cells with thin cytoplasmic processes.

Where is Nephrin made?

“Nephrin is specifically located at the slit diaphragm of glomerular podocytes”. Proc. Natl. Acad.

What does podocytes mean?

Podocytes are highly specialized cells of the kidney glomerulus that wrap around capillaries and that neighbor cells of the Bowman’s capsule. The genetic or acquired impairment of podocytes may lead to foot process effacement (podocyte fusion or retraction), a morphological hallmark of proteinuric renal diseases.