Podocytes are kidney cells with prominent cellular protrusions, termed foot processes. Multiple podocytes interdigitate their foot processes forming unique cell-to-cell contacts, termed a slit diaphragm. In conjunction with the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and the fenestrated endothelium, podocytes establish a unique molecular sieve to filter blood. Compromise to podocyte foot process integrity is one of the most frequent clinical observations in kidney disease, which cannot be repaired nor regenerated. The molecular composition of the podocyte foot process is largely unknown, yet fundamental to podocyte integrity.
Relevant Publication
Gerlach GF, Imseis ZH, Cooper SL, Santos AN, O’Brien LL. 2023. Mapping of the podocin proximity-dependent proteome reveals novel components of the kidney podocyte foot process. Front Cell Dev Biol. doi:10.3389/fcell.2023.1195037