Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
06:39
Glomerular Outgrowth as an Ex Vivo Assay to Analyze Pathways Involved in Parietal Epithelial Cell Activation
Published on: August 19, 2020
Heparanase in glomerular diseases.
M J van den Hoven1, A L Rops, I Vlodavsky
1Nephrology Research Laboratory, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences and Division of Nephrology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Kidney International
|May 24, 2007
Summary
Heparanase enzyme activity contributes to proteinuric diseases by degrading heparan sulfate in the glomerular basement membrane. Inhibitors of heparanase may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Heparanase (HPSE) is an enzyme that degrades heparan sulfate (HS) polysaccharides.
- Established roles in metastasis, angiogenesis, and inflammation.
- Emerging evidence links HPSE to proteinuric diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review the role of HPSE in HS degradation within proteinuric diseases.
- Discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting HPSE.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on HPSE and proteinuric diseases.
- Analysis of proposed mechanisms of HPSE-induced proteinuria.
- Evaluation of heparin(oids) as potential HPSE inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Increased glomerular HPSE expression correlates with HS loss in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and proteinuria.
- Elevated HPSE activity detected in urine of proteinuric patients.
- Transgenic mice overexpressing HPSE exhibit mild proteinuria.
Conclusions:
- HPSE activity in glomeruli may cause HS loss, leading to proteinuria through various mechanisms including altered cell-GBM interactions, factor release, or intracellular signaling.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the prevailing mechanism and triggers for increased HPSE expression.
- HPSE inhibitors, like heparin(oids), represent a potential therapeutic avenue for proteinuric diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Renal Corpuscle
The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...
01:24Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of fluid...
01:30Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
01:10Nephrons
The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma happens...
01:28Diabetic Nephropathy
Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...
01:28Glomerular Filtration Rate and its Regulation
The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a measure of kidney function, reflecting the volume of filtrate formed per minute in the kidneys. On average, GFR is approximately 125 mL/min in males and 105 mL/min in females. Maintaining a relatively constant GFR is essential for the kidneys to effectively regulate body fluid homeostasis and maintain extracellular stability.
GFR regulation involves two primary intrinsic controls: the myogenic and tubuloglomerular feedback mechanisms.
The myogenic...
GFR regulation involves two primary intrinsic controls: the myogenic and tubuloglomerular feedback mechanisms.
The myogenic...