Abstract:
Introduction: Podocytes cells are part of the filtration barrier that prevent loss of proteins into urine. Podocytes injury that present in various range of diseases result in proteinuria. The mechanisms of injuries can vary, but all them lead to the foot process effacement of podocytes.
Purpose: Studying the morphology and normal function of the podocytes foot process and of associated changes of them within glomerular diseases.
Material and methods: The research is based on literary sources that were analyzed using PubMed, NCBI and Medline published within the period of 2012-2022.
Results: The analyzed researches showed that the podocyte foot processes are attached to the glomerular capillaries at the
glomerular basement membrane (GBM) by forming intercellular junctions that form slit diaphragm of filtration barrier.
Morphologically, the podocytes are atypical polarized epithelial cells that are divided into 3 separate structural and functional
elements: a large cell body, major extending processes, and minor foot processes. The apical domain is negatively charged, which is
limiting the passage of albumin into urine. The injured podocytes undergo effacement, and in result reduction of filtration barrier
function and proteinuria.
Conclusions:
The podocyte foot processes are attached to the
glomerular capillaries at the glomerular basement
membrane (GBM) by forming intercellular junctions
that form slit diaphragm of filtration barrier.
The podocytes are divided into 3 separate structural
and functional elements: a large cell body, major
extending processes, minor foot processes.
The apical domain is negatively charged, which is
limiting the passage of albumin into urine. The injured
podocytes undergo effacement, and in result reduction
of filtration barrier function and proteinuria.
