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An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney
Published on: November 1, 2018
The glomerular endothelial cell coat is essential for glomerular filtration
Vincent Fridén1, Eystein Oveland, Olav Tenstad
1Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. vincent@wlab.gu.se
Kidney International
|March 18, 2011
Summary
The endothelial cell coat (ECC) is crucial for kidney filtration. Removing ECC proteins increased albumin leakage, highlighting their role in preventing proteinuria and maintaining glomerular permselectivity.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The endothelial cell surface layer (ESL), comprising the glycocalyx and endothelial cell coat (ECC), is vital for glomerular barrier function.
- The precise molecular composition and role of the ECC in glomerular permselectivity remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular components of the renal endothelial cell coat (ECC) and their contribution to glomerular permselectivity.
- To elucidate the role of the ECC in preventing proteinuria.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hypertonic sodium chloride injection to elute non-covalently bound proteins from the rat renal ESL.
- Assessed changes in albumin fractional clearance using electron microscopy and mathematical modeling.
- Identified eluted proteins using mass spectrometry.
Main Results:
- Hypertonic saline elution of renal ESL components increased albumin fractional clearance 12-fold without morphological changes.
- Mathematical modeling indicated a reduction in glomerular charge density post-elution.
- Mass spectrometry identified 17 non-covalently bound proteins in the ECC, including orosomucoid and lumican, known for roles in capillary permselectivity.
Conclusions:
- The endothelial cell coat (ECC) plays a critical role in maintaining glomerular permselectivity and preventing proteinuria.
- Specific ECC proteins, such as orosomucoid and lumican, are essential for barrier integrity.
- Disruption or absence of these ECC proteins leads to increased albuminuria.
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