A rejuvenation method of inducing the proliferation and differentiation of glomeruluar podocyte

Glomerular pococyte is a giant cell containing many foot processes located at the outside of glomerular basement membrane. It plays important roles in regulating blood filtration and is known as a terminal differentiated cell. No proliferation capability can be found in podocyte. Damaged podocyte shows morphological defect of slit diaphragm which results in protein urine. In this study, we developed a method enabling podocyte proliferation. We also unveiled possible excelluar matrices involving podocyte proliferation. Using our developed co-culture system, the proliferating podocyte can recover differentiation capability and maintain slit diaphragm.