podocyte https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0000653 renal podocyte kidney podocyte glomerular visceral epithelial cell https://github.com/obophenotype/cell-ontology/issues/1460 glomerular podocyte BTO:0002295 https://cdn.humanatlas.io/digital-objects/2d-ftu/kidney-renal-corpuscle/v1.2/assets/2d-ftu-kidney-renal-corpuscle.png ZFA:0009285 FMA:70967 A specialized kidney epithelial cell, contained within a glomerulus, that contains "feet" that interdigitate with the "feet" of other podocytes. epithelial cell of visceral layer of glomerular capsule Podocytes are highly specialized, terminally differentiated glomerular visceral epithelial cells that wrap around the capillaries in the kidneys. They play an essential role in kidney function, particularly in the filtration selectivity of the glomerulus. Each podocyte is characterized by a unique architecture with a large cell body, ‘major processes’ extending outwardly from the cell body and ‘foot processes’, also known as pedicels, which surround. the glomerular capillary loops Podocytes represent the last barrier of the glomerular filtration membrane in the kidney. This barrier prevents the leakage of plasma proteins from the blood into the urine, hence maintaining protein homeostasis in the body. The foot processes of the podocytes interdigitate with those from neighboring cells. The cell-cell junctions between the foot processes, the slit-diaphragms, are thought to create a molecular sensor of renal filtration that prevents the passage of macromolecules while allowing water and small solutes to pass. Podocytes also contribute to the glomerular basement membrane by secreting collagen and maintain glomerular endothelial cell fenestration by secreting VEGFA. They have been shown to play a role in inducing cytoskeletal regulation, cell adhesion, and inflammatory response, consistent with their essential function in the kidney. The importance of podocytes is further emphasized by the effects of their damage or loss. Abnormalities in podocytes often result in severe kidney diseases (podocytopathies), including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD). Injury to the podocytes can result in "effacement" or flattening of foot processes, leading to increased permeability of the filtration barrier and proteinuria (an excess of serum protein in urine) which is a common symptom of kidney diseases. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) renal filtration cell kidney corpuscule cell Homo sapiens