How do primary and secondary FSGS differ?
There are two types of FSGS, primary (idiopathic) and secondary forms. Secondary FSGS shows less severe clinical features compared to those of the primary one. However, secondary FSGS has an important clinical significance because a variety of renal diseases progress to ESRD thorough the form of secondary FSGS.
What are the foot processes on podocytes?
The podocytes have long foot processes called pedicels, for which the cells are named (podo- + -cyte). The pedicels wrap around the capillaries and leave slits between them. Blood is filtered through these slits, each known as a filtration slit, slit diaphragm, or slit pore.
How do primary and secondary nephrotic syndrome differ?
Common primary causes of nephrotic syndrome include kidney diseases such as minimal-change nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, and focal glomerulosclerosis. Secondary causes include systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, lupus erythematosus, and amyloidosis.
How is FSGS diagnosed?
Kidney biopsy. A biopsy usually involves placing a needle through the skin to take a tiny sample from your kidney. The results of the biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of FSGS . Because of the large number of people treated for kidney diseases, Mayo Clinic has the dedicated Renal Biopsy Laboratory.
What causes primary FSGS?
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as diabetes, sickle cell disease, other kidney diseases and obesity. It can also be caused by an infection and drug toxicity. A rare form of FSGS is caused by inherited abnormal genes. Sometimes there’s no identifiable cause.
Is FSGS nephrotic or nephritic?
FSGS is a rare disease that attacks the kidney’s filtering units (glomeruli) and causes serious scarring, leading to permanent kidney damage and even kidney failure. FSGS is one of the causes of a serious condition known as Nephrotic Syndrome.
What is the podocyte function?
Abstract. Podocytes play an important role in glomerular function. Together with endothelial cells of the glomerular capillary loop and the glomerular basement membrane they form a filtration barrier. Podocytes cooperate with mesangial cells to support the structure and function of the glomerulus.
What is a podocyte cell?
Podocytes are specialized epithelial cells that cover the outer surfaces of glomerular capillaries. Unique cell junctions, known as slit diaphragms, which feature nephrin and Neph family proteins in addition to components of adherens, tight, and gap junctions, connect adjacent podocyte foot processes.
How many types of FSGS are there?
These five variants are: perihilar, cellular, tip, collapsing, and FSGS not otherwise specified. These distinctions are important when physicians decide how to treat a patient with FSGS.