From the Guidelines
Mesangial cells play a crucial role in maintaining kidney health by regulating blood flow, providing structural support, and participating in immune responses, and their dysfunction is implicated in various kidney diseases, including diabetic nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, and lupus nephritis.
Key Functions of Mesangial Cells
- Regulate blood flow through the glomerular capillaries by contracting or relaxing, similar to smooth muscle cells 1
- Provide structural support to the glomerular capillary network and help maintain the integrity of the filtration barrier 1
- Play important roles in immune responses within the kidney by producing cytokines and growth factors, phagocytizing immune complexes, and participating in the clearance of macromolecules from the glomerular filtration barrier 1
Role in Kidney Diseases
- Dysfunction of mesangial cells is implicated in various kidney diseases, including diabetic nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, and lupus nephritis, where abnormal proliferation or matrix production can lead to glomerulosclerosis and impaired kidney function 1
- Angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion has been shown to ameliorate nephritic changes in anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis by reducing glomerular monocyte infiltration, cell proliferation, and matrix expansion, and increasing the expression of cell cycle inhibitor p27kip1 and transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) 1
Importance of Angiogenesis-Associated Factors
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) play crucial roles in promoting glomerular capillary repair in anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis 1
- Coordinated regulation of angiogenesis-associated factors by Ang II may potentially lead to the accelerated recovery of glomerular endothelial cells in the early phase of anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis model 1
From the Research
Mesangial Cell Function
- Mesangial cells (MCs) play a crucial role in maintaining glomerular function, supporting the capillary plexus, constricting blood vessels, and producing cytokines 2.
- They are involved in the regulation of glomerular blood flow and can produce renin 3.
- MCs have phagocytic function and express antigen-presenting cell (APC) markers on their surface, allowing them to participate in the immune response 2.
Mesangial Cell Role in Disease
- Activated MCs can act as APCs in renal disease, presenting antigens to T lymphocytes and contributing to the immune response 2.
- Mesangial expansion, characterized by the aberrant proliferation of MCs and excess production of matrix proteins, is a key feature of diabetic nephropathy 4.
- MCs play a role in glomerular coagulation and fibrinolysis, as well as triggering glomerular inflammation and mesangioproliferative disorders 5.
Mesangial Cell Characteristics
- MCs are stromal cells that are important for kidney glomerular homeostasis and the glomerular response to injury 6.
- They have a specialized molecular phenotype and can regulate various processes, including immunity, inflammation, and regeneration 6.
- MCs can self-repair and respond to podocyte injury by triggering a "mesenchymal healing"-kind of response that can lead to glomerular fibrosis and sclerosis 5.