What is the function of podocyte?
What is the function of podocyte? Podocytes play an important role in glomerular function. Together with endothelial cells of the glomerular capillary loop and the glomerular basement membrane they form a filtration barrier. Podocytes cooperate with mesangial cells to support the structure and function of the glomerulus. What causes podocyte effacement? The major causes (genetic or acquired) of foot processes effacement are impaired formation of the slit diaphragm complex, abnormality of the GBM or adhesion of podocytes to the GBM, abnormalities in the cytoskeleton or associated proteins, and alterations in the apical membrane domain of the podocyte. What do podocytes...