Proteoglycans contribute to the functional integrity of the glomerular endothelial cell surface layer and are regulated in diabetic kidney disease

Abstract All capillary endothelia, including those of the glomeruli, have a luminal cell surface layer (ESL) consisting glycoproteins, glycolipids, proteoglycans (PGs) and glycosaminoglycans. Previous results demonstrated that an intact ESL is necessary for normal filtration barrier damage to coupled proteinuria seen example in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). We used principles ion exchange chromatography vivo elute highly negatively charged components with 1 M NaCl solution rats. Ultrastructural morphology renal function were analyzed 17 PGs hyaluronan identified ESL. The high salt reduced glomerular thickness, led albuminuria GFR. To assess relevance expression glomeruli from DKD patients next generation sequencing cohort was investigated. found seven homologues rats differently regulated compared healthy subjects. show glycosaminoglycans are essential ESL, maintaining permselective properties thus preventing proteinuria.