Glomerular Endothelial Cells: Assessment of Barrier Properties In Vitro

Raina D. Ramnath*, Simon C. Satchell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter in a book

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Endothelial cells form the inner lining of all blood vessels and play a vital role in regulating vascular permeability. This applies to the circulation in general and also to specific capillary beds including the renal glomerular capillaries. Endothelial dysfunction, including increased permeability, is a key component of diabetes-induced organ damage. Endothelial cells together with their glycocalyx, grown on porous membranes, provide an excellent model to study endothelial permeability properties. Here we describe the measurement of two characteristics of glomerular endothelial cell (GEnC) monolayers: electrical resistance and macromolecular passage. Trans-endothelial electrical resistance provides a measure of small-pore pathways across the endothelium and provides an index of monolayer confluence and cell-cell junction integrity. Measurement of macromolecular passage provides an index of large-pore pathways and use of labeled albumin provides direct relevance to the clinically important parameter of albuminuria. The combination of the two approaches provides a fantastic tool to elucidate endothelial barrier function in vitro including in response to cytokines, pathological stimuli, and potential therapeutic agents.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDiabetic Nephropathy
Subtitle of host publicationMethods and Protocols
PublisherHumana Press Inc.
Pages145-151
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-4939-9841-8
ISBN (Print)978-1-4939-9840-1
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 8 Nov 2019

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume2067
ISSN (Print)1064-3745
ISSN (Electronic)1940-6029

Research Groups and Themes

  • Bristol Heart Institute

Keywords

  • Glomerular endothelial cells (GEnC)
  • Macromolecular permeability
  • Porous membrane
  • Trans-endothelial electrical resistance

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