What Role Do Podocytes Play in Glomerular Integrity?
Podocytes are specialized epithelial cells that wrap around the glomerular capillaries. They form part of the filtration barrier through their intricate foot processes, which interdigitate to create slit diaphragms. Damage to podocytes, often observed as foot process effacement, can severely impair the filtration function, leading to protein leakage and subsequent renal damage.
