Visceral epithelial cell

Visceral epithelial cells (also known as podocytes) are specialized cells that play a crucial role in the kidney's function of filtering waste from the blood. They are a component of the glomerulus, a network of tiny blood vessels in the kidney where the filtration process begins.

Structure

Visceral epithelial cells are characterized by their unique structure. They have a large cell body with primary processes that extend out and further branch into secondary processes known as foot processes or pedicels. These foot processes interdigitate with those of neighboring cells, forming a structure known as the slit diaphragm, which serves as the final barrier to protein loss in the urine.

Function

The primary function of visceral epithelial cells is to maintain the filtration barrier of the glomerulus. They do this by maintaining the slit diaphragm, and by producing a negatively charged layer that repels negatively charged proteins, preventing them from passing into the urine.

In addition to their role in filtration, visceral epithelial cells also have a role in maintaining the structure of the glomerulus. They secrete extracellular matrix proteins that make up part of the glomerular basement membrane, and they also help to regulate the size and shape of the capillaries within the glomerulus.

Clinical significance

Damage to the visceral epithelial cells can lead to a number of kidney diseases. For example, in minimal change disease, the foot processes of the visceral epithelial cells are effaced, or flattened, leading to a loss of the filtration barrier and protein loss in the urine. In focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, scarring of the glomerulus occurs due to damage to the visceral epithelial cells.

See also

• Kidney
• Glomerulus
• Pedicels
• Slit diaphragm
• Extracellular matrix
• Minimal change disease
• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

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