Glomerular development--shaping the multi-cellular filtration unit

Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2014 Dec:36:39-49. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.07.016. Epub 2014 Aug 18.

Abstract

The glomerulus represents a highly structured filtration unit, composed of glomerular endothelial cells, mesangial cells, podocytes and parietal epithelial cells. During glomerulogenesis an intricate network of signaling pathways involving transcription factors, secreted factors and cell-cell communication is required to guarantee accurate evolvement of a functional, complex 3-dimensional glomerular architecture. Here, we want to provide an overview on the critical steps and relevant signaling cascades of glomerular development.

Keywords: Endothelial cell; Glomerular development; Mesangial cell; Parietal epithelial cell; Podocyte; WT1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Glomerulus / cytology
  • Kidney Glomerulus / embryology*
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • MafB Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Mesangial Cells / cytology
  • Organogenesis / physiology*
  • Podocytes / cytology
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • WT1 Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • LIM homeobox transcription factor 1 beta
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • MAFB protein, human
  • MafB Transcription Factor
  • Receptors, Notch
  • TCF21 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • WT1 Proteins
  • WT1 protein, human