Podocytes that detach in experimental membranous nephropathy are viable
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Updated: Sep 20, 2026
An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney
Published on: November 1, 2018
Arndt T Petermann1, Ron Krofft, Mary Blonski
1Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
Background:
Podocyte loss contributes to the development of glomerulosclerosis. Although podocytes have been detected in the urine in certain glomerular diseases, the viability of detached cells is not known.
Methods:
Urine was collected from rats with experimental membranous nephropathy [passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) model], centrifuged, and following resuspension in tissue culture media, cells were seeded onto collagen-coated tissue culture plates. Cells were grown under typical cell culture conditions. Cell number was measured, the cell type was identified by immunostaining with specific antibodies, and cell morphology was assessed by light and electron microscopy.
Results:
Cells obtained in the urine from PHN rats were positive for synaptopodin, nephrin, podocin, WT-1, and GLEPP1 (podocyte-specific antigens). When grown ex vivo under cell culture conditions, cells obtained in the urine from PHN rats adhered to tissue culture plates, and expressed podocyte-specific proteins at the mRNA [reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)] and protein (immunostaining) level. Cells did not stain with antibodies to mesangial (OX-7), tubular (Tamm-Horsfall protein) and endothelial (RECA) cells. Electron microscopy showed the presence of foot processes, and podocytes from PHN rats stained positive for C5b-9. Although podocyte number increased transiently during the first 5 days ex vivo, apoptosis increased significantly thereafter, reducing overall cell number.
Conclusion:
Rats with experimental membranous nephropathy shed podocytes into the urine that attach to tissue culture plates ex-vivo, and proliferate. These results suggest that detached podocytes are viable. These results add new perspectives into our understanding of podocyte loss in the development of glomerulosclerosis.
Insights
Detached podocytes in urine from rats with membranous nephropathy are viable and can proliferate ex vivo. This finding offers new insights into podocyte loss and glomerulosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
- Glomerular Diseases
Background:
- Podocyte loss is a key factor in glomerulosclerosis development.
- The viability of podocytes found in urine is currently unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the viability and characteristics of podocytes shed into the urine.
- To investigate the behavior of these detached podocytes under ex vivo culture conditions.
Main Methods:
- Urine from rats with experimental membranous nephropathy (passive Heymann nephritis model) was collected.
- Cells were cultured ex vivo on collagen-coated plates and analyzed for cell number, type (immunostaining), and morphology (light and electron microscopy).
- Podocyte-specific markers (synaptopodin, nephrin, podocin, WT-1, GLEPP1) and C5b-9 deposition were assessed.
Main Results:
- Urine-derived cells expressed podocyte-specific antigens and proteins (mRNA and protein level).
- These cells adhered, proliferated ex vivo, and exhibited foot processes on electron microscopy.
- Apoptosis increased significantly after 5 days, leading to a reduction in cell number.
Conclusions:
- Detached podocytes in urine from rats with membranous nephropathy are viable and capable of proliferation ex vivo.
- These findings suggest that shed podocytes can survive and exhibit cellular activity.
- This study provides new perspectives on podocyte loss mechanisms in glomerulosclerosis.
