The morphological and functional integrity of podocytes is essential to maintain the glomerular filtration function. Podocytes have to undergo many sources of cellular stress and pathological stimuli to which they must adapt to ensure survival. However, excessive stress leads to a succession of complex biological alterations -metabolic, homeostatic- resulting in the loss of structural integrity and function. As a result, podocyte lesions lead to glomerular filtration barrier rupture, proteinuria, and the development of serious pathologies, known as podocytopathies and glomerulopathies.
Podocytes, like neurons, are highly differentiated, polarized, and theoretically non-replaceable post-mitotic cells. However, recent studies have shown that glomerular parietal epithelial cells (PEC), can migrate to the glomerular tuft and differentiate into podocytes. Also, glomerular endothelial cells, another key element of the glomerular filtration barrier, influence the integrity of the latter by exerting a complex cross talk with podocytes. The interplay between the different types of glomerular cells determines the function and fate of the glomerulus.
This special issue aims to be a report on the state of the art in the field of the molecular mechanisms regulating podocytes at the morphological and/or functional levels. Works contributing to the understanding of cellular processes engaged in response to different forms of stress, including the study of cell death / survival, metabolism and structural regulation are welcome, as well as studies that focus on the functional interaction of podocytes with PEC and endothelial cells.
The morphological and functional integrity of podocytes is essential to maintain the glomerular filtration function. Podocytes have to undergo many sources of cellular stress and pathological stimuli to which they must adapt to ensure survival. However, excessive stress leads to a succession of complex biological alterations -metabolic, homeostatic- resulting in the loss of structural integrity and function. As a result, podocyte lesions lead to glomerular filtration barrier rupture, proteinuria, and the development of serious pathologies, known as podocytopathies and glomerulopathies.
Podocytes, like neurons, are highly differentiated, polarized, and theoretically non-replaceable post-mitotic cells. However, recent studies have shown that glomerular parietal epithelial cells (PEC), can migrate to the glomerular tuft and differentiate into podocytes. Also, glomerular endothelial cells, another key element of the glomerular filtration barrier, influence the integrity of the latter by exerting a complex cross talk with podocytes. The interplay between the different types of glomerular cells determines the function and fate of the glomerulus.
This special issue aims to be a report on the state of the art in the field of the molecular mechanisms regulating podocytes at the morphological and/or functional levels. Works contributing to the understanding of cellular processes engaged in response to different forms of stress, including the study of cell death / survival, metabolism and structural regulation are welcome, as well as studies that focus on the functional interaction of podocytes with PEC and endothelial cells.
