What are podocytes in glomerulus?
What are podocytes in glomerulus?
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 do podocytes do in the kidney?
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.
How are podocytes damaged?
Podocytes internalize plasma protein by free fatty acid receptor-mediated micropinocytosis, and protein accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum results in dysregulation of the unfolded protein response pathway, causing mitochondrial damage.
What are meant by podocyte cells?
Podocyte: A cell with branching tentacle-shaped extensions that constitutes the barrier through which blood is filtered in the glomerulus of the kidney. From the Greek pod- (foot) + -cyte (cell).
Where is the glomerulus found?
kidney
The glomerulus is a network of capillaries known as a tuft located at the beginning of nephrons in the kidney. Intraglomerular mesangial cells support the structure of the tuft. The blood in the tuft is filter’s capsule. Then the filtrate of water and soluble substances enters the renal tubules of the nephron.
What do mesangial cells do?
Mesangial cells provide structural support to the glomerular tuft, produce and maintain mesangial matrix, communicate with other glomerular cells by secreting soluble factors, and may contribute to the glomerular capillary flow via their contractile properties.
What do the mesangial cells do?
Where are Podocyte cells located in the kidneys?
The filtered blood passes out the proximal tubule (yellow) on the right. Podocytes are cells in the Bowman’s capsule in the kidneys that wrap around capillaries of the glomerulus. Podocyte cells make up the epithelial lining of Bowman’s capsule, the third layer through which filtration of blood takes place.
What is the function of podocytes in the glomerulus?
Podocytes cooperate with mesangial cells to support the structure and function of the glomerulus. With regard to its structure, the podocyte can be divided into three structural and functional segments: cell body, major processes, and foot processes, the latter playing a crucial role in the pathogenesis of proteinuria.
How are small molecules processed in the podocyte?
Small molecules such as water, glucose, and ionic salts are able to pass through the filtration slits and form an ultrafiltrate in the tubular fluid, which is further processed by the nephron to produce urine . Podocytes are also involved in regulation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Where does the podocyte cover the basal lamina?
The endothelial cells of the glomerulus; 1. pore (fenestra). Adjacent podocytes interdigitate to cover the basal lamina which is intimately associated with the glomerular capillaries. The pedicels of the podocytes interdigitate and leave gaps or thin filtration slits between them.
Where are podocytes found in the kidneys?
Podocytes are cells found in the glomerulus of the kidney that have extensions shaped like a palm frond or a fern branch called a foot process. They… See full answer below. Become a Study.com member to unlock this answer! Create your account
The endothelial cells of the glomerulus; 1. pore (fenestra). Adjacent podocytes interdigitate to cover the basal lamina which is intimately associated with the glomerular capillaries. The pedicels of the podocytes interdigitate and leave gaps or thin filtration slits between them.
How are the pedicels of a podocyte interdigitate?
The pedicels of the podocytes interdigitate and leave gaps or thin filtration slits between them.
Small molecules such as water, glucose, and ionic salts are able to pass through the filtration slits and form an ultrafiltrate in the tubular fluid, which is further processed by the nephron to produce urine . Podocytes are also involved in regulation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR).