Article
Urology & Nephrology
David Unnersjoe-Jess, Amer Ramdedovic, Linus Butt, Ingo Plagmann, Martin Hoehne, Agnes Hackl, Hjalmar Brismar, Hans Blom, Bernhard Schermer, Thomas Benzing
Summary: This study reveals that podocytes in mammalian kidneys exhibit a preferred spatial orientation on glomerular capillaries, with secondary processes aligning along the longitudinal axis and primary processes perpendicular to it. This orientation is crucial for podocytes to counteract mechanical forces from pressurized capillaries. However, under pathological conditions or with specific mutations, podocytes lose this preferred orientation. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind podocyte orientation and its loss in disease.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Georgina Gyarmati, Chaim O. Jacob, Janos Peti-Peterdi
Summary: In the past two decades, multiphoton microscopy has provided new insights into glomerular biology and disease processes, focusing on the interactions between glomerular endothelial cells, podocytes, and immune cells. The review highlights the complexity of pathogenic mechanisms that lead to proteinuria development by comprehensive visual portrayal of glomerular cell types.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Zhenan Liu, Joonho Yoon, Chonlarat Wichaidit, Ankita B. Jaykumar, Hashem A. Dbouk, Addie E. Embry, Liping Liu, Joel M. Henderson, Audrey N. Chang, Melanie H. Cobb, Richard Tyler Miller
Summary: Calcineurin inhibitors can protect podocytes and glomerular capillaries by preserving podocyte cytoskeletal structure, preventing injury in many glomerular diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Stuart J. Shankland, J. Ashley Jefferson, Oliver Wessely
Summary: The majority of podocyte disorders are progressive and can lead to chronic kidney disease and failure. Current therapies are often nonspecific immunosuppressant drugs with unwanted side effects. However, there are promising clinical trials underway to reduce the burden of podocyte disorders. Recent advances have been made in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of podocyte injury in disease. Repurposing approved therapies for other indications may be a viable approach to treat podocyte disorders, as it offers known safety profiles, completed drug development, and reduced costs.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xuejing Zhu, Dan Gao, Vittorio Albertazzi, Jianyong Zhong, Li-Jun Ma, Liping Du, Yu Shyr, Valentina Kon, Hai-Chun Yang, Agnes B. Fogo
Summary: The study found that long-term treatment with high-dose angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and nonspecific antihypertensive therapy can ameliorate the progression of glomerulosclerosis. Among them, ARB treatment showed superior preservation of podocyte integrity, decreased proteinuria and aldosterone levels, and higher survival rate in uremic rats compared to other treatment methods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Stuart J. Shankland, Yuliang Wang, Andrey S. Shaw, Joshua C. Vaughan, Jeffrey W. Pippin, Oliver Wessely
Summary: Aging has negative effects on kidney health, especially with regard to podocytes. This review discusses the mechanisms of podocyte aging, its impact in age-related kidney diseases, strategies to mitigate podocyte damage, and the role of cellular growth pathways in confounding aging processes in humans and rodents.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
James van der Wolde, Kotaro Haruhara, Victor G. Puelles, David Nikolic-Paterson, John F. Bertram, Luise A. Cullen-McEwen
Summary: This study investigated the progressive loss of podocytes during healthy aging and how the remaining podocytes respond to podocyte depletion at different ages. The results showed that podocyte number per glomerulus did not change in control mice during the examined time period but control mice at 18 months had the largest podocytes and the lowest podocyte density. Podocyte depletion at different ages resulted in different levels of albuminuria and glomerulosclerosis. In addition, the study found that the mTORC1-mediated podocyte hypertrophy played an important role in both physiological aging and adaptive settings.
CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Sara Falcone, Thomas Nicol, Andrew Blease, Michael J. Randles, Elizabeth Angus, Anton Page, Frederick W. K. Tam, Charles D. Pusey, Rachel Lennon, Paul K. Potter
Summary: Nephrotic syndrome is a disease characterized by severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminaemia, edema, and hyperlipidaemia. Genetic studies have identified proteins that play important roles in the signaling of the slit diaphragm, regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics, and cell-matrix interactions in nephrotic syndrome. In this study, a novel missense mutation in the L4a domain of the LAMA5 gene was identified in mice, leading to the development of nephrotic syndrome with histological and ultrastructural changes similar to those seen in patients. The reduced levels of LAMA5 and alteration in the matrix composition suggest the involvement of LAMA5 in the progression of nephrotic syndrome. Additionally, the genetic background of the mice affected the disease progression, indicating the influence of genetic factors in kidney diseases. Overall, this novel model provides valuable insights into the pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for nephrotic syndrome.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wen-Yu Yang, Li-Chi Chen, Ya-Ting Jhuang, Yu-Jie Lin, Pei-Yu Hung, Yi-Ching Ko, Meng-Yu Tsai, Yun-Wei Lee, Li-Wen Hsu, Chih-Kuang Yeh, Hsiang-Hao Hsu, Chieh-Cheng Huang
Summary: Hybrid three-dimensional cell spheroids composed of podocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and vascular endothelial cells were designed to mimic the glomerular microenvironment and replenish podocyte population by cell transplantation. The spheroids demonstrated improved engraftment efficiency and reduced proteinuria in mice with hypertensive nephropathy, indicating their potential for repairing injured kidneys.
BIOENGINEERING & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xiandeng Li, Ying Zhang, Xiaodong Xing, Mi Li, Yan Liu, Ajing Xu, Jian Zhang
Summary: Diabetic nephropathy is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus, and understanding the underlying mechanisms of podocyte injury is key to developing effective therapeutic interventions. This review summarizes the factors contributing to podocyte injury in DN, including lipotoxicity, hemodynamic abnormalities, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired autophagy. The findings presented in this review provide potential therapeutic targets and strategies for the management of DN associated with podocyte injury.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
William J. Mason, Elisavet Vasilopoulou
Summary: The article discusses the progression and treatment strategies of glomerular disease, highlighting the need to slow disease progression and the role and mechanisms of T beta 4 in this process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Dominic Cosgrove, Jacob Madison
Summary: Alport syndrome is caused by variants in the COL4A3, COL4A4, or COL4A5 genes, resulting in glomerular pathology and other tissue abnormalities. Defects in the glomerular basement membrane lead to progressive glomerulosclerosis, requiring dialysis and kidney transplantation.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Xian Wang, Han-Xu Zeng, Ling Jiang, Xue-Qi Liu, Yue-Bo Huang, Yong-Gui Wu
Summary: The study revealed significant changes in glomerular autophagy and increased levels of P62 protein in DKD. P62 protein can be a valuable diagnostic indicator for DKD progression.
DIABETES METABOLIC SYNDROME AND OBESITY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Qing Hou, Weibo Le, Shuyan Kan, Jinsong Shi, Yue Lang, Zhihong Liu, Zhaohong Chen
Summary: NRIP2 acts as a stabilizer of beta-catenin activation in podocyte injury, regulating beta-catenin degradation through the ubiquitin proteasomal pathway. Its role in podocyte injury influences the occurrence of proteinuria.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Qi Ren, Shengyou Yu, Huasong Zeng, Huimin Xia
Summary: Podocytes' specialized role in maintaining the filtration barrier is regulated, in part, by the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). This study investigated the role of PTEN in podocyte injury induced by puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) and the potential protective effects of dexamethasone (DEX) through the PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The findings suggest that targeting PTEN could be a promising therapeutic strategy against podocyte injury.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Haiying Qi, Gabriella Casalena, Shaolin Shi, Liping Yu, Kerstin Ebefors, Yezhou Sun, Weijia Zhang, Vivette D'Agati, Detlef Schlondorff, Borje Haraldsson, Erwin Bottinger, Ilse Daehn
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Ingrid O. Friberg, Lena Martensson, Borje Haraldsson, Gunilla Krantz, Sylvia Maatta, Krister Jarbrink
PERITONEAL DIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lovisa Bergwall, Hanna Wallentin, Johannes Elvin, Peidi Liu, Roberto Boi, Carina Sihlbom, Kyle Hayes, Dale Wright, Borje Haraldsson, Jenny Nystrom, Lisa Buvall
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2018)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Deman Najar, Borje Haraldsson, Annika Thorsell, Carina Sihlbom, Jenny Nystrom, Kerstin Ebefors
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Kerstin Ebefors, Robert J. Wiener, Liping Yu, Evren U. Azeloglu, Zhengzi Yi, Fu Jia, Weijia Zhang, Margaret H. Baron, John C. He, Borje Haraldsson, Ilse Daehn
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Schubart, Karen Anderson, Nello Mainolfi, Holger Sellner, Takeru Ehara, Christopher M. Adams, Aengus Mac Sweeney, Sha-Mei Liao, Maura Crowley, Amanda Littlewood-Evans, Sophie Sarret, Grazyna Wieczorek, Ludovic Perrot, Valerie Dubost, Thierry Flandre, Yuzhou Zhang, Richard J. H. Smith, Antonio M. Risitano, Rajeshri G. Karki, Chun Zhang, Eric Valeur, Finton Sirockin, Bernd Gerhartz, Paulus Erbel, Nicola Hughes, Thomas M. Smith, Frederic Cumin, Upendra A. Argikar, Boerje Haraldsson, Muneto Mogi, Richard Sedrani, Christian Wiesmann, Bruce Jaffee, Juergen Maibaum, Stefanie Flohr, Richard Harrison, Joerg Eder
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2019)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Simon Davies, Borje Haraldsson, Francois Vrtovsnik, Vedat Schwenger, Stanley Fan, Alexandre Klein, Saynab Atiye, Adelheid Gauly
PERITONEAL DIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Maarja A. Mae, Liqun He, Sofia Nordling, Elisa Vazquez-Liebanas, Khayrun Nahar, Bongnam Jung, Xidan Li, Bryan C. Tan, Juat Chin Foo, Amaury Cazenave-Gassiot, Markus R. Wenk, Yvette Zarb, Barbara Lavina, Susan E. Quaggin, Marie Jeansson, Chengua Gu, David L. Silver, Michael Vanlandewijck, Eugene C. Butcher, Annika Keller, Christer Betsholtz
Summary: Through single-cell RNA sequencing and other methods, the study revealed the transcriptional, morphological, and functional changes in brain endothelial cells in response to pericyte deficiency. Endothelial cells without pericyte contact maintain a BBB-specific gene expression profile and acquire a venous-shifted molecular pattern.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bing He, Ping Chen, Sonia Zambrano, Dina Dabaghie, Yizhou Hu, Katja Moller-Hackbarth, David Unnersjoe-Jess, Gul Gizem Korkut, Emmanuelle Charrin, Marie Jeansson, Maria Bintanel-Morcillo, Anna Witasp, Lars Wennberg, Annika Wernerson, Bernhard Schermer, Thomas Benzing, Patrik Ernfors, Christer Betsholtz, Mark Lal, Rickard Sandberg, Jaakko Patrakka
Summary: The study used Smart-seq2 to analyze the molecular characteristics of glomerulus-associated cells in human and mouse kidneys, revealing gene expression profiles, heterogeneity, and species differences. This helps in designing translational studies and understanding the molecular identity of renal cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Hultstrom, Karin Fromell, Anders Larsson, Barbro Persson, Bo Nilsson, Susan E. Quaggin, Christer Betsholtz, Robert Frithiof, Miklos Lipcsey, Marie Jeansson
Summary: Hypercoagulation and endothelial dysfunction play important roles in severe forms of COVID-19 infections. Angiopoietin-2, an inflammatory cytokine and TIE2 receptor antagonist, appears to be involved in the molecular mechanisms underlying COVID-19-associated hypercoagulation. Clinical data, mouse models, and in vitro assays support the hypothesis that Angiopoietin-2 directly inhibits thrombin/thrombomodulin-mediated anticoagulation, leading to increased coagulation in COVID-19 patients.
Meeting Abstract
Physiology
R. Pietila, S. Nanavazadeh, G. Y. Koh, S. E. Quaggin, C. Betsholtz, M. Jeansson
Meeting Abstract
Physiology
Michael Hultstrom, Karin Fromell, Anders Larsson, Susan E. Quaggin, Christer Betsholtz, Robert Frithiof, Miklos Lipcsey, Marie Jeansson
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Surgery
Evan Farkash, Abhijit Naik, Helio Tedesco Silva, Bjoern Nashan, Oliver Witzke, Martijn vandenHoogen, Stefan Berger, Diane Cibrik, Shamkant Mulgaonkar, David B. Leeser, Rita Alloway, Anita Patel, Johann Pratschke, Claudia Sommerer, Alexander Wiseman, Arjan vanZuilen, Ute Laessing, Boerje Haraldsson, James Rush
TRANSPLANT INTERNATIONAL
(2019)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Schubart, Boerje Haraldsson, Julie Milojevic, Peter End, Irina Baltcheva
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2019)
Meeting Abstract
Surgery
B. Nashan, H. Tedesco, M. van den Hoogen, S. Berger, D. Cibrik, S. Mulgaonkar, D. Leeser, R. Alloway, A. Patel, J. Pratschke, C. Sommerer, A. Wiseman, A. van Zuilen, U. Laessing, J. Rush, B. Haraldsson, O. Witzke
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2018)