Biology of the Human Podocyte

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Abstract

The glomerulus is a complex physiological structure that, as well as maintaining a selective filtration barrier, participates in the control of renal blood flow and blood pressure. Recently there has been a surge of interest in the podocyte, as the main player in this functional unit, driven by key discoveries of genes mutated in hereditary conditions, that result in breakdown of barrier functions. This has been accompanied by the development of powerful new molecular, cellular and animal tools to enable study at a level of detail not previously possible. How this emerging information is shaping our understanding of glomerular biology, and ultimately our understanding of the pathophysiology of glomerular diseases, is outlined here.

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NPHS2, encoding the glomerular protein podocin, is mutated in autosomal recessive steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

N Boute, O Gribouval, S Roselli … (2000)

Familial idiopathic nephrotic syndromes represent a heterogeneous group of kidney disorders, and include autosomal recessive steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, which is characterized by early childhood onset of proteinuria, rapid progression to end-stage renal disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. A causative gene for this disease, NPHS2, was mapped to 1q25-31 and we report here its identification by positional cloning. NPHS2 is almost exclusively expressed in the podocytes of fetal and mature kidney glomeruli, and encodes a new integral membrane protein, podocin, belonging to the stomatin protein family. We found ten different NPHS2 mutations, comprising nonsense, frameshift and missense mutations, to segregate with the disease, demonstrating a crucial role for podocin in the function of the glomerular filtration barrier.

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Mutations in ACTN4, encoding alpha-actinin-4, cause familial focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

J M Kaplan, S. H. Kim, K N North … (2000)

Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common, non-specific renal lesion. Although it is often secondary to other disorders, including HIV infection, obesity, hypertension and diabetes, FSGS also appears as an isolated, idiopathic condition. FSGS is characterized by increased urinary protein excretion and decreasing kidney function. Often, renal insufficiency in affected patients progresses to end-stage renal failure, a highly morbid state requiring either dialysis therapy or kidney transplantation. Here we present evidence implicating mutations in the gene encoding alpha-actinin-4 (ACTN4; ref. 2), an actin-filament crosslinking protein, as the cause of disease in three families with an autosomal dominant form of FSGS. In vitro, mutant alpha-actinin-4 binds filamentous actin (F-actin) more strongly than does wild-type alpha-actinin-4. Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton of glomerular podocytes may be altered in this group of patients. Our results have implications for understanding the role of the cytoskeleton in the pathophysiology of kidney disease and may lead to a better understanding of the genetic basis of susceptibility to kidney damage.

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Congenital nephrotic syndrome in mice lacking CD2-associated protein.

N. Y. Shih, J. Li, V Karpitskii … (1999)

CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) is an 80-kilodalton protein that is critical for stabilizing contacts between T cells and antigen-presenting cells. In CD2AP-deficient mice, immune function was compromised, but the mice died at 6 to 7 weeks of age from renal failure. In the kidney, CD2AP was expressed primarily in glomerular epithelial cells. Knockout mice exhibited defects in epithelial cell foot processes, accompanied by mesangial cell hyperplasia and extracellular matrix deposition. Supporting a role for CD2AP in the specialized cell junction known as the slit diaphragm, CD2AP associated with nephrin, the primary component of the slit diaphragm.

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Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): NEE

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Nephron Exp Nephrol

Journal ID (doi): 10.1159/issn.1660-2129

Title: Cardiorenal Medicine

Publisher: S. Karger AG

ISSN (Electronic): 1660-2129

Publication date Subscription-year: 2003

Publication date (Print): November 2003

Publication date (Electronic): 17 November 2004

Volume: 95

Issue: 3

Pages: e87-e92

Affiliations

Academic and Children’s Renal Unit, University of Bristol, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK

Article

Publisher ID: 74324 Other ID: Nephron Exp Nephrol 2003;95:e87–e92

DOI: 10.1159/000074324

PubMed ID: 14646360

SO-VID: dd61b4ca-ce31-40bf-91e9-4478784ef562

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Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

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Biology of the Human Podocyte

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Abstract

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Karger: Nephrology

Most cited references 8

NPHS2, encoding the glomerular protein podocin, is mutated in autosomal recessive steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

Mutations in ACTN4, encoding alpha-actinin-4, cause familial focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Congenital nephrotic syndrome in mice lacking CD2-associated protein.

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