Relevance of VEGF and nephrin expression in glomerular diseases #MMPMID21808734
Bertuccio CA
J Signal Transduct 2011[]; 2011 (?): 718609 PMID21808734show ga
The glomerular filtration barrier is affected in a large number of acquired and inherited diseases resulting in extensive leakage of plasma albumin and larger proteins, leading to nephrotic syndrome and end-stage renal disease. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms governing the development of the nephrotic syndrome remain poorly understood. Here, I give an overview of recent investigations that have focused on characterizing the interrelationships between the slit diaphragm components and podocytes-secreted VEGF, which have a significant role for maintaining the normal podocyte structure and the integrity of the filtering barrier.