Distinct differences between cultured podocytes and parietal epithelial cells of the Bowman ’s capsule

AbstractPhenotypic changes in culture hamper the identification and characterization of cultured podocytes and parietal epithelial cells of the Bowman ’s capsule (PECs). We have recently established culture conditions that restore podocytes to their differentiated phenotypes. We compared podocytes and PECs cultured under the same conditions to determine the unique characteristics of the two cell types. Performing this comparison under the same c onditions accentuated these differences. Podocytes behaved like non-epithelial cells by extending cell processes even at confluence. By contrast, PECs behaved like typical epithelial cells by maintaining a polygonal appearance. Other differences were identified using immunostaining and RT-PCR; podoc ytes expressed high levels of podocyte-specific markers while PECs expressed high levels of PEC-specific markers. However, while podocytes expressed low levels of PEC markers, PECs expressed low levels of podocyte markers. Therefore, the identification of podocytes and PECs in culture requires the e valuation of respective cell markers and the expression of markers for other cell types.

Source: Cell and Tissue Research - January 26, 2020 Category: Cytology Source Type: research