the-aps.org>meetings>eb

Regulation of Glomerular Function by Podocytes
Sponsored by the APS Renal Section

The recent advances in the isolation, characterisation and identification of human and animal visceral glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes) has led to the elucidation of how these cells, so tightly wrapped around the endothelial cells, use their molecular expression phenotype to control fluid and solute transport across the glomerular filtration barrier. However, the integration between the molecular regulation of podocyte function, and that impact on glomerular filtration rate is still being elucidated.

This symposium will address the role of the podocyte in the control of glomerular filtration, using molecular studies in podocytes in vitro, examination of control of filtration by podocytes on endothelial cells and basement membrane, and the changes seen in intact glomeruli in response to podocyte stimulation in health and disease. It therefore bridges the molecular, cellular and integrative approaches to glomerular function and will hope to bring these together in a single symposium and associated featured topic. This symposium is timely, since the coming together of molecular genetic approaches, cell physiology, and in vivo physiological approaches has begun to describe a highly significant and active role of the podocyte in control of glomerular function. The symposium will consist of four speakers covering complementary areas of glomerular function – the basement membrane, the slit diaphragm, the podocyte function as a whole, and the changes seen in disease.