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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
07:15

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Published on: August 23, 2024

Insulin-like growth factors inhibit podocyte apoptosis through the PI3 kinase pathway

Darren J Bridgewater1, Jackie Ho, Victor Sauro

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

Kidney International
|March 23, 2005
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) protects fetal podocytes from apoptosis by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. This finding suggests IGF-1 may help treat progressive kidney diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cell Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Podocyte injury is central to many kidney diseases.
  • Understanding factors regulating podocyte survival is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in fetal podocyte survival.
  • To elucidate the signaling pathways involved in IGF-mediated protection.

Main Methods:

  • Human fetal podocytes were induced to undergo apoptosis using etoposide.
  • Apoptosis was measured by DNA fragmentation and nuclear morphology.
  • The effect of IGF-1 and PI3K pathway inhibitors was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Etoposide significantly increased podocyte apoptosis.
  • IGF-1 reduced apoptosis to control levels.
  • IGF-1 protection was mediated by the PI3K/AKT/PKB pathway, involving IRS-1, p85, and bad.

Conclusions:

  • The IGF system plays a vital role in fetal podocyte survival in vitro.
  • IGF-1 may offer a therapeutic strategy to mitigate podocyte loss in progressive renal diseases.

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