Podocytes

The slit-diaphragm is a cellular junction that is crucial for blood filtration in the kidney. Kocylowski et al. show that the junction-spanning components are embedded in a protein network for dynamic control of filtration; network disturbance leads to severe filtration defects with proteinuria.

In this Review, the authors provide an overview of the roles of miRNAs in the development of chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury and allograft injury. They also discuss the utilization of miRNAs as biomarkers and their potential as therapeutic targets in kidney disease.

Upregulation of transcription factor OASIS in podocytes contributes to podocyte and/or tubular injury through decreased PRKCi expression and is a critical event for the disturbance of kidney homeostasis.