Podocyte Pathophysiology

Dear Colleagues,

While podocytes, highly specialized cells with a central role in filtration barrier maintenance, constitute a small cell population within the kidney, their significance in both normal glomerular physiology and the manifestation of proteinuric glomerulopathies cannot be underestimated. This is especially crucial considering that 90% of all chronic kidney disease cases are attributed to glomerular diseases. Decades of research have unveiled numerous aspects of podocyte biology in health and disease, positioning them at the forefront of preventive and therapeutic strategies for chronic progressive kidney diseases.

However, the complexity of podocyte biology, coupled with the development of innovative technical and methodological approaches, has brought new facets to light in characterizing the mechanisms governing podocyte development, metabolism, injury, and repair. These advancements enhance diagnostic techniques and therapeutics to treat glomerular diseases. Recent studies, such as the generation of kidney organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells and the exploration of podocyte mitochondria in glomerular cell crosstalk, have particularly piqued the field’s interest.

In this Special Issue, we eagerly invite basic research, clinical studies, and review articles focused on the investigation of the various aspects of podocyte pathology leading to glomerular diseases. This endeavor presents an excellent opportunity to not only update our current knowledge in the field but also to showcase diverse perspectives from institutions worldwide. 

Dr. Alla Mitrofanova
Guest Editor

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• podocyte
• podocytopathy
• organoid
• mitochondria
• kidney therapy
• actin cytoskeleton
• integrity
• glomerular basement membrane
• extracellular matrix
• intracellular trafficking
• podocyte metabolism