Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Glomerular Filtration

Glomerular Filtration

The filtration membrane in the renal system is a highly specialized structure essential for filtering blood. It consists of glomerular capillaries and podocytes, forming a selective barrier that permits the passage of water and small solutes while restricting most plasma proteins and blood cells.
Components of the Filtration Membrane
The filtration process involves three key layers: the glomerular endothelial cells, the basement membrane, and the podocyte-formed filtration slits.

Renal Corpuscle

Renal 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...

Glomerular Filtration Rate and its Regulation

Glomerular 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...

Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration

Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration

The kidneys are vital organs responsible for regulating blood filtration, waste excretion, and fluid balance, all of which are crucial for maintaining homeostasis. Renal physiology examines renal blood flow, glomerular filtration, and urine formation, ensuring the body’s internal environment remains stable.Renal Blood FlowThe kidneys receive about 20-25% of the cardiac output, typically around 1200 mL of blood per minute in an average adult. Blood flows into the kidneys through the renal...

Overview of the Vascular System

Overview of the Vascular System

The vascular system comprises an extensive network of arteries, capillaries, and veins. The vascular system can be broadly divided into the blood and lymphatic systems. Typically, blood vessels can be categorized into three histological regions: tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia. The tunica intima consists of a single layer of endothelial cells attached to the basal lamina. Underlying the basal lamina is a connective tissue layer and an elastic lamina that gives stability and...

Glomerular Filtration: Net Filtration Pressure

Glomerular Filtration: Net Filtration Pressure

Glomerular filtration, a key process in the kidneys, is regulated by three main pressures: Glomerular blood hydrostatic pressure (GBHP), Capsular hydrostatic pressure (CHP), and Blood colloid osmotic pressure (BCOP).
GBHP, with an average value of 55 mmHg, promotes filtration by pushing water and solutes through the filtration membrane. This is balanced by two opposing forces: CHP, a "back pressure" exerted against the filtration membrane by fluid already in the capsular space and renal tubule,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Podocyte-derived endothelin-1 and endothelial cell endothelin A receptors are essential for glomerular injury in mouse models of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Kidney international·2026

Same author

Kidney transcriptomics signature of prospective rapid diabetic kidney disease progression.

BMC nephrology·2025

Same author

Proteomic analysis of human kidney biopsies unveils emerging acute kidney injury very early after liver graft reperfusion.

Journal of translational medicine·2025

Same author

Cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 affects podocyte cytoskeleton dynamics in diabetic kidney disease.

JCI insight·2025

Same author

Unraveling the role of early coeliac disease diagnosis in the risk of developing immune-mediated renal diseases.

BMC gastroenterology·2025

Same author

Injured Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells Lose Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α Expression Crucial for Brush Border Formation and Transport.

The American journal of pathology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Isolation of Glomeruli and In Vivo Labeling of Glomerular Cell Surface Proteins

Isolation of Glomeruli and In Vivo Labeling of Glomerular Cell Surface Proteins

Published on: January 18, 2019

The glomerular endothelium: new insights on function and structure.

Börje Haraldsson¹, Jenny Nyström

¹Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. borje.haraldsson@gu.se

Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension

|March 6, 2012

Summary

The glomerular endothelium, specifically its endothelial surface layer (ESL), plays a crucial role in kidney barrier function. Damage to the ESL, often seen in diabetes, can lead to proteinuria, highlighting the endothelium

More Related Videos

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney

Published on: November 1, 2018

Isogenic Kidney Glomerulus Chip Engineered from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Isogenic Kidney Glomerulus Chip Engineered from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: November 4, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 24, 2026

Isolation of Glomeruli and In Vivo Labeling of Glomerular Cell Surface Proteins

Isolation of Glomeruli and In Vivo Labeling of Glomerular Cell Surface Proteins

Published on: January 18, 2019

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney

Published on: November 1, 2018

Isogenic Kidney Glomerulus Chip Engineered from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Isogenic Kidney Glomerulus Chip Engineered from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: November 4, 2022

Area of Science:

Nephrology
Vascular Biology
Cell Biology

Background:

The glomerular barrier, crucial for kidney filtration, was historically studied focusing on podocytes and the glomerular basement membrane (GBM).
Emerging research highlights the significant, yet previously underestimated, role of the glomerular endothelium in maintaining kidney function.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in understanding the functional and structural aspects of the glomerular endothelium.
To emphasize the endothelium's critical contribution to the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier.

Main Methods:

Review of current scientific literature on glomerular endothelium.
Analysis of recent findings on the endothelial surface layer (ESL), glycocalyx, and cell coat.
Examination of studies on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin family proteins in glomerular diseases.

Main Results:

The endothelial surface layer (ESL), comprising the glycocalyx and cell coat, is vital for preventing proteinuria; damage to the ESL can cause filtration issues even with intact podocytes and GBM.
Oxidative stress, high glucose concentrations (as seen in diabetes), and enzymatic digestion can damage the ESL.
New research implicates VEGF and angiopoietin-related proteins in endothelial roles within glomerular diseases.

Conclusions:

The glomerular endothelium, particularly its ESL, is a key component of the glomerular barrier, with damage leading to proteinuria.
Intercellular signaling between endothelial, mesangial, and epithelial cells is essential for maintaining the selective properties of the glomerular barrier.
Further research, including the development of specific transgenic mouse models, is needed to fully elucidate the complex interactions within the glomerular filtration system.