Podocytes as a target of insulin

Richard J M Coward, Moin A Saleem

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article (Academic Journal)peer-review

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) presents with a gradual breakdown of the glomerular filtration barrier to protein, culminating in widespread glomerular damage and renal failure. The podocyte is the central cell of the glomerular filtration barrier, and possesses unique architectural and signaling properties guided by the expression of key podocyte specific proteins. How these cellular features are damaged by the diabetic milieu is unclear, but what is becoming increasingly clear is that damage to the podocyte is a central event in DN. Here we present accumulating evidence that insulin action itself is important in podocyte biology, and may be deranged in the pathomechanism of early DN. This introduces a rationale for therapeutic intervention to improve podocyte insulin sensitivity early in the presentation of DN.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)22-7
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent Diabetes Reviews
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2011

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism
  • Glucose/adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Insulin/metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance/physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • Podocytes/drug effects
  • Proteinuria/metabolism
  • Signal Transduction/drug effects

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