From the Guidelines
Mesangial cells are specialized cells found in the kidneys, specifically within the glomerulus, which is the filtering unit of the kidney, and they play a crucial role in maintaining kidney health by providing structural support to the glomerular capillaries and regulating blood flow. These cells are located between the capillaries of the glomerular tuft and serve several important functions, including contractile properties that allow them to regulate blood flow through the glomerular capillaries, thus influencing the filtration rate 1. Additionally, mesangial cells play a crucial role in immune responses within the kidney by producing cytokines and growth factors, phagocytosing immune complexes, and participating in the clearance of debris 1. Some key points about mesangial cells include:
- They provide structural support to the glomerular capillaries, helping to maintain the architecture of the filtration apparatus 1
- They have contractile properties that allow them to regulate blood flow through the glomerular capillaries, thus influencing the filtration rate 1
- They play a crucial role in immune responses within the kidney by producing cytokines and growth factors, phagocytosing immune complexes, and participating in the clearance of debris 1
- In various kidney diseases, such as diabetic nephropathy and certain forms of glomerulonephritis, mesangial cells can become activated, leading to mesangial expansion, increased matrix production, and potentially contributing to kidney damage 1 Understanding mesangial cell function is essential for comprehending both normal kidney physiology and the pathophysiology of various kidney diseases 1.
From the Research
Definition and Function of Mesangial Cells
- Mesangial cells are the main cellular constituents in the glomerular mesangium, accounting for approximately 30-40% of the total cells in the glomerulus 2.
- They form the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in the glomerulus, whose main function is to perform filtration 2.
- Mesangial cells serve a number of functions in the renal glomerular capillary, including structural support of the capillary tuft, modulation of glomerular hemodynamics, and a phagocytic function allowing removal of macromolecules and immune complexes 3.
Role in Renal Fibrosis and Disease
- Under pathologic conditions, mesangial cells are activated, leading to hyperproliferation and excess extracellular matrix (ECM) 2.
- Mesangial cells secrete several kinds of inflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules, chemokines, and enzymes, which participate in the process of renal glomerular fibrosis 2.
- The proliferation of mesangial cells is a prominent feature of glomerular disease, including IgA nephropathy, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, and diabetic nephropathy 3.
Relationship with Other Glomerular Cells
- Mesangial cells are situated in close proximity to all other cellular components of the glomerulus and play a crucial role in intra-glomerular crosstalk 4.
- They are the central hub connecting and supporting the endothelium, glomerular basement membrane, and podocytes 4.
- The formation of the glomerular tuft requires tightly coordinated movement and cross-talk between mesangial and endothelial cells 5.
Characteristics and Properties
- Mesangial cells are stromal cells that are important for kidney glomerular homeostasis and the glomerular response to injury 6.
- They are a specialized stromal cell of the glomerulus, with a unique molecular phenotype 6.
- Mesangial cells can regulate a variety of processes, including immunity, inflammation, regeneration, and fibrosis, through crosstalk with neighboring cells and remodeling of the matrix 6.