Molecular and Genetic Basis of Inherited Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is an heterogeneous disease characterized by increased permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier for macromolecules. Podocytes, the visceral epithelial cells of glomerulus, play critical role in ultrafiltration of plasma and are involved in a wide number of inherited and a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maddalena Gigante, Matteo Piemontese, Loreto Gesualdo, Achille Iolascon, Filippo Aucella
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2011-01-01
Series:International Journal of Nephrology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/792195
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Summary:Nephrotic syndrome is an heterogeneous disease characterized by increased permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier for macromolecules. Podocytes, the visceral epithelial cells of glomerulus, play critical role in ultrafiltration of plasma and are involved in a wide number of inherited and acquired glomerular diseases. The identification of mutations in nephrin and other podocyte genes as causes of genetic forms of nephrotic syndrome has revealed new important aspects of the pathogenesis of proteinuric kidney diseases and expanded our knowledge of the glomerular biology. Moreover, a novel concept of a highly dynamic slit diaphragm proteins is emerging. The most significant discoveries in our understanding of the structure and function of the glomerular filtration barrier are reviewed in this paper.
ISSN:2090-214X
2090-2158