Podocyte dysfunction in kidney diseases: Mechanisms and therapeutic advances

Creative Commons License

Ismayilova S., Mutlu O., Bayramova J., Berdeli A.

SCIENCE PROGRESS, cilt.109, sa.3, ss.1-11, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 109 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/00368504261475956
  • Dergi Adı: SCIENCE PROGRESS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Earth, Atmospheric, & Aquatic Science Collection (ProQuest), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Scopus, Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest), Aerospace Database, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), EMBASE, INSPEC, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-11
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Podocytes are terminally differentiated visceral epithelial cells that form the outermost layer of the glomerular filtration barrier. Through their foot processes and slit diaphragm structures, podocytes confer selective permeability to the glomerular filtration barrier and play a critical role in maintaining kidney function. Podocyte damage is characterized by foot process effacement, loss of slit diaphragm proteins, reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, and apoptosis, and plays a central role in the pathogenesis of proteinuric glomerular diseases such as minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. This narrative review examines podocyte biology, the main molecular pathways of podocyte damage (RhoA/ROCK, TGF-β, mTOR, and oxidative stress), the clinical presentations of podocytopathies, and treatment strategies ranging from RAAS blockade, SGLT2 inhibitors, cytoskeletal stabilizers, gene therapy, to regenerative medicine approaches. By highlighting recent findings and translational challenges, the importance of podocyte-focused therapies in glomerular diseases is emphasized. Future studies aim to preserve podocyte integrity and prevent progressive kidney disease through personalized molecular therapies and multidisciplinary research.