The physiology of glomerular permselectivity remains mechanistically obscure, despite its importance in human disease. Although electrical contributions to glomerular permselectivity have long been considered important, two recent reports demonstrated enhanced glomerular permeability to anionic versus neutral polysaccharides. The interpretation of these observations is complicated by confoundin...

We infused microgram quantities of active or inactive PMN elastase and cathepsin G into the renal arteries of rats. Both active and inactive elastase localized to the glomerular capillary wall equally, and in amounts that could be achieved physiologically in GN. However, elastase-perfused rats developed marked proteinuria (196 +/- 32 mg/24 h) compared with control rats receiving inactive elasta...

Nephrotic-range proteinuria, which denotes structural damage to the glomerular filtration barrier, occurs in 1-2% of bevacizumab-treated patients. The glomerular injury and subsequent proteinuria is probably due to a direct targeting of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We report a case series of six patients who developed a syndrome characterized by proteinuria and hypertension after ...

Molecular parameters other than size and charge are likely to influence the filtration of macromolecules across the glomerular filter. We have studies, therefore, the glomerular permeability of macromolecules with widely different molecular configuration such as horseradish peroxidase, a plant glycoprotein with an isoelectric point in the physiologic pH range, and dextran, an uncharged sugar po...

Physiologic permeability of the glomerular capillary depends on the normal structure of podocyte foot processes forming a functioning slit diaphragm in between. Mutations in several podocyte genes as well as specific molecular pathways have been identified as the cause for progressive kidney failure with urinary protein loss. Podocyte injury is a hallmark of glomerular disease, which is general...