Glomerular endothelial cell injury and crosstalk in diabetic kidney disease.

Glomerular endothelial cell injury and crosstalk in diabetic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2014 Nov 19;:ajprenal.00533.2014 Authors: Fu J, Lee K, Chuang PY, Liu Z, He JC Abstract Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remains a leading cause of new onset ESRD and yet, at present the treatment is still very limited. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of DKD is therefore necessary in order to develop more effective therapies. Increasing evidence suggest that glomerular endothelial cell (GEC) injury plays a major role in the development and progression of DKD. Alteration of glomerular endothelial cell surface layer including its major component glycocalyx is a leading cause of microalbuminuria observed in early DKD. Many studies suggest a presence of crosstalk between glomerular cells, such as between GEC and mesangial cells or GEC and podocytes. PDGF/PDGFRB is a major mediator for GEC and mesangial cell crosstalk, while vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoetins, and endothelin-1 are the major mediators for GEC and podocytes communication. In DKD, GEC injury may lead to podocyte damage, while podocyte loss further exacerbates GEC injury, forming a vicious cycle. Therefore, GEC injury may predispose to albuminuria in diabetes either directly or indirectly by communication with neighboring podocytes and mesangial cells via secreted mediators. Identification of novel mediators of glomerular cell crosstalk, such a...
Source: Am J Physiol Renal P... - Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Tags: Am J Physiol Renal Physiol Source Type: research