Enzymatic disease of the podocyte

Andreas D. Kistler, Vasil Peev, Anna Lena Forst, Shafic El Hindi, Mehmet M. Altintas, Jochen Reiser

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Proteinuria is an early sign of kidney disease and has gained increasing attention over the past decade because of its close association with cardio-vascular and renal morbidity and mortality. Podocytes have emerged as the cell type that is critical in maintaining proper functioning of the kidney filter. A few genes have been identified that explain genetic glomerular failure and recent insights shed light on the pathogenesis of acquired proteinuric diseases. This review highlights the unique role of the cysteine protease cathepsin L as a regulatory rather than a digestive protease and its action on podocyte structure and function. We provide arguments why many glomerular diseases can be regarded as podocyte enzymatic disorders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1017-1023
Number of pages7
JournalPediatric Nephrology
Volume25
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cathepsin L
  • Glomerular disease
  • Podocyte
  • Proteases
  • Proteinuria

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Nephrology

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