Zoning in on podocytes.

Abstract

Podocytes undergo defined morphologic changes during development, homeostasis, and aging, and on injury. Quantitative podometric assessments of podocyte endowment provide a powerful tool to interrogate glomerular health. Expanding this approach to a regional assessment demonstrates that the podocytes from cortical, subcortical, and juxtamedullary glomeruli are not only morphologically heterogeneous per se, but respond differently to stressors, such as age and hypertension. This suggests that zonal glomerular changes harbor critical information to understand glomerulopathies.