足细胞足突融合的机制及意义

Mechanisms of podocyte foot process effacement

足细胞是终末分化细胞,其受损导致的足细胞丢失是造成终末期肾病的最常见原因。足细胞为应对损伤可能已进化出某种抵抗足细胞脱落的机制。在应对损伤过程中,足细胞出现显著的形态改变,最主要的变化是足突融合,但其发生机制仍不是很清楚。本文就足细胞与肾小球基膜之间的黏附分子基础及对损伤反应所作出的各种形态结构变化作一简述,着重探讨足突融合的意义和足细胞剥离的机制。

Podocytes are terminally differentiated cells, and progressive loss of podocyte is most frequent cause accounting for end-stage renal failure. There must be some mechanism for podocyte against detachment. Podocytes respond to injury and stress via tremendous changes in shape in which foot process effacement （FPE） is most obvious, however, the mechanism of FPE remains unknown. Here we summarize the molecular mechanism of podocyte-glomerular basement membrane （GBM） attachment and various structure changes in podocyte responding to stress and injury, and mainly discuss the mechanism and significance of podocyte foot process effacement. Foot process effacement probably represents a protective response of podocytes to escape detachment from the GBM.