[Abnormality of renin-angiotensin system in podocyte dysfunction in diabetic kidney disease]

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is currently the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). DKD is stamped by proteinuria and progressive renal dysfunction. Excessive activation of RAS under hyperglycemic condition is associated with the development of DKD. Suppression of RAS markedly reduces proteinuria and retards progression of DKD in clinic. Podocyte forms the final barrier to protein in glomerular filtration. Podocyte injury leads to abnormality in glomerular filtration permeability, results in proteinuria. Various components of RAS have been identified to be expressed in podocyte. Here we reviewed the progress on RAS in regulating the function of podocyte and progress of DKD.