Update in podocyte biology

Knowledge of podocyte biology is growing rapidly. Podocytes are crucially i nvolved in most hereditary diseases affecting the glomerulus, which all exh ibit podocyte-specific defects, that is, foot process effacement and protei n leakage. Efforts to understand molecular mechanisms causing these derange ments are increasingly successful and will allow a better targeting of inte rventions to halt the progression of chronic renal disease. Curr Opin Nephr ol Hypertens 10:331-340 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.