Mesangial cells and their adhesive properties

Glomerular mesangial cells play a central role in maintaining structure and function of the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration apparatus. Under phys iological and pathological conditions, mesangial cells regulate amount and composition of the surrounding extracellular matrix. Conversely, components of the embedding matrix affect the mesangial cell phenotype. These interac tions are mediated via specific cell surface receptors, the best studied gr oup of which is the beta(1) integrin family. The beta(1) integrins play a r ole in mesangial cell adhesion, migration, survival and proliferation. Expr ession and abundance of integrins in healthy and diseased glomeruli and the ir functions and mediation of signals are discussed in this review. Other f actors modulating mesangial cell-matrix interactions, such as antiadhesive proteins, cytokines, disintegrins and nitric oxide, are also considered. Th e available evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies indicates that recep tor-mediated interactions between mesangial cells and the normal or abnorma l extracellular matrix regulate the mesangial cell phenotype and thus contr ibute to normal maintenance of the glomerulus and to remodeling and repair of the glomerular capillary tuft in response to injury.