Abstract:

ABSTRACT Podocytes are terminally differentiated cells, and progressive loss of podocyte is most frequent cause accounting for end-stage renal failure. There must be some mechanism for podocyte against detachment. Podocytes respond to injury and stress via tremendous changes in shape in which foot process effacement (FPE) is most obvious, however, the mechanism of FPE remains unknown. Here we summarize the molecular mechanism of podocyte-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) attachment and various structure changes in podocyte responding to stress and injury, and mainly discuss the mechanism and significance of podocyte foot process effacement. Foot process effacement probably represents a protective response of podocytes to escape detachment from the GBM.

Key words: foot process, effacement cell-matrix adhesion, podocyte loss