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Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Single-channel Analysis and Calcium Imaging in the Podocytes of the Freshly Isolated Glomeruli
Published on: June 27, 2015
The Physiopathologic Roles of Calcium Signaling in Podocytes
Yu-Chi Tu1, Hua-Pan Shu1, Lu-Lu Sun1
1Department of Nephrology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430000 Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Abstract:
Calcium (Ca2+) plays a critical role in podocyte function. The Ca2+-sensitive receptors on the cell surface can sense changes in Ca2+ concentration, and Ca2+ flow into podocytes, after activation of Ca2+ channels (such as transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels and N-type calcium channels) by different stimuli. In addition, the type 2 ryanodine receptor (RyR2) and the voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) on mitochondrial store-operated calcium channels (SOCs) on the endoplasmic reticulum maintain the Ca2+ homeostasis of the organelle. Ca2+ signaling is transmitted through multiple downstream signaling pathways and participates in the morphogenesis, structural maintenance, and survival of podocytes. When Ca2+ is dysregulated, it leads to the occurrence and progression of various diseases, such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, diabetic kidney disease, lupus nephritis, transplant glomerulopathy, and hypertensive renal injury. Ca2+ signaling is a promising therapeutic target for podocyte-related diseases. This review first summarizes the role of Ca2+ sensing, Ca2+ channels, and different Ca2+-signaling pathways in the biological functions of podocytes, then, explores the status of Ca2+ signaling in different podocyte-related diseases and its advances as a therapeutic target.
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