Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 9, 2025

Author Spotlight: Generation of Patient-Derived Podocytes from Skin Biopsies
Published on: May 26, 2023
Glomerular Endothelial Cell Crosstalk With Podocytes in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Nassim Mahtal1, Olivia Lenoir1, Pierre-Louis Tharaux1
1Université de Paris, Paris Cardiovascular Center, Inserm, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Diabetes is the main cause of renal failure worldwide. Complications of the kidney micro-and macro-circulation are common in diabetic patients, leading to proteinuria and can progress to end-stage renal disease. Across the complex interplays aggravating diabetes kidney disease progression, lesions of the glomerular filtration barrier appear crucial. Among its components, glomerular endothelial cells are known to be central safeguards of plasma filtration. An array of evidence has recently pinpointed its intricate relations with podocytes, highly specialized pericytes surrounding glomerular capillaries. During diabetic nephropathy, endothelial cells and podocytes are stressed and damaged. Besides, each can communicate with the other, directly affecting the progression of glomerular injury. Here, we review recent studies showing how in vitro and in vivo studies help to understand pathological endothelial cells-podocytes crosstalk in diabetic kidney disease.
Related Concept Videos
Renal Corpuscle
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...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
Nephrons
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
Glomerular Filtration
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.
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction

