The Sampson Lab Dictionary is back with another kidney science term 📖🔬
Today’s word: podocytes; Specialized cells that play an important role in the kidney’s filtration system. Swipe to learn more about what they do.
Have you heard this term before?
Today’s word: podocytes; Specialized cells that play an important role in the kidney’s filtration system. Swipe to learn more about what they do.
Have you heard this term before?
October 12, 2026 at 5:33 PM
The Sampson Lab Dictionary is back with another kidney science term 📖🔬
Today’s word: podocytes; Specialized cells that play an important role in the kidney’s filtration system. Swipe to learn more about what they do.
Have you heard this term before?
Today’s word: podocytes; Specialized cells that play an important role in the kidney’s filtration system. Swipe to learn more about what they do.
Have you heard this term before?
Podocytes are specialized epithelial cells of the glomerulus, the main filtration unit of the kidney. Microtubules in the podocyte are vital to its function and here the microtubule associated protein MAP6 is highlighted in glomeruli using mIHC/IF.
www.proteinatlas.org/news/2026-10...
www.proteinatlas.org/news/2026-10...
October 8, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Podocytes are specialized epithelial cells of the glomerulus, the main filtration unit of the kidney. Microtubules in the podocyte are vital to its function and here the microtubule associated protein MAP6 is highlighted in glomeruli using mIHC/IF.
www.proteinatlas.org/news/2026-10...
www.proteinatlas.org/news/2026-10...
A mouse model to experimentally increase #podocyte numbers from embryonic day 14.5 and determine effects on #glomerular volume post-natally, indicates that glomerular volume is determined at an earlier stage of #embryogenesis
doi.org/10.14814/phy...
#Renal
doi.org/10.14814/phy...
#Renal
Increase in podocyte number induced by <fc>SV40T</fc> antigen during the fetal stage does not expand glomerular size in mice
Introduction of SV40 large T antigen (SV40T) in embryonic mouse podocytes via a Tet-On system markedly increased podocyte number at birth (P0). However, the supernumerary podocytes formed…
doi.org
October 7, 2026 at 9:15 AM
A mouse model to experimentally increase #podocyte numbers from embryonic day 14.5 and determine effects on #glomerular volume post-natally, indicates that glomerular volume is determined at an earlier stage of #embryogenesis
doi.org/10.14814/phy...
#Renal
doi.org/10.14814/phy...
#Renal
Proteostasis in Podocytes: Role of Cargo Receptor Surf4 and Collagen IV Trafficking https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.30.755739v1
October 2, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Proteostasis in Podocytes: Role of Cargo Receptor Surf4 and Collagen IV Trafficking https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.30.755739v1
Proteostasis in Podocytes: Role of Cargo Receptor Surf4 and Collagen IV Trafficking https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.30.755739v1
October 2, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Proteostasis in Podocytes: Role of Cargo Receptor Surf4 and Collagen IV Trafficking https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.30.755739v1
Session 3 of #DACHEV2026: Andreina Schoeberlein on EVs in perinatal brain injury, Tal Manko on neuroblastoma EVs and CNS barriers, Janina Müller-Deile on glomerular EVs reaching podocytes, and flash talks on the adipose tissue niche, bladder cancer spheroids, and Alzheimer’s disease. #ASEV #SwissEV
September 29, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Session 3 of #DACHEV2026: Andreina Schoeberlein on EVs in perinatal brain injury, Tal Manko on neuroblastoma EVs and CNS barriers, Janina Müller-Deile on glomerular EVs reaching podocytes, and flash talks on the adipose tissue niche, bladder cancer spheroids, and Alzheimer’s disease. #ASEV #SwissEV
I just did my annual thing of wanting to find something on Twi/X, scrolling for ages and ending up feeling sad for how things once were (not in a good way). The thing I was looking turned out to be not that exciting after all.
September 27, 2026 at 5:34 PM
I just did my annual thing of wanting to find something on Twi/X, scrolling for ages and ending up feeling sad for how things once were (not in a good way). The thing I was looking turned out to be not that exciting after all.
#Fructose directly binds TOM22 and remodels the mitochondrial TOM complex, disrupting protein import, ribosome biogenesis, and #OxidativePhosphorylation, revealing a metabolism-independent mechanism of #Podocyte injury. @tsinghuauniversity.bsky.social
#STTT #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1038/s413...
#STTT #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1038/s413...
September 26, 2026 at 3:30 AM
#Fructose directly binds TOM22 and remodels the mitochondrial TOM complex, disrupting protein import, ribosome biogenesis, and #OxidativePhosphorylation, revealing a metabolism-independent mechanism of #Podocyte injury. @tsinghuauniversity.bsky.social
#STTT #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1038/s413...
#STTT #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1038/s413...
New paper from me (Kristen Harris lab at UT-Austin): doi.org/10.1371/jour... 🧪 #neurosckyence
This paper introduces our synaptopodin (Synpo) knockout rats. Synpo encodes an actin-binding protein (named for brain synapses and the kidney podocytes where it was first found).
(1/11)
This paper introduces our synaptopodin (Synpo) knockout rats. Synpo encodes an actin-binding protein (named for brain synapses and the kidney podocytes where it was first found).
(1/11)
Synaptopodin KO rat for assessing the dendritic spine apparatus and axonal cisternal organelle in synaptic plasticity, development, and behavior
The actin-binding protein synaptopodin (Synpo) regulates the cytoskeleton and organization of the endoplasmic reticulum, thereby amplifying intracellular Ca2+ signaling. Knockout (KO) mouse models hav...
doi.org
September 9, 2026 at 7:45 PM
New paper from me (Kristen Harris lab at UT-Austin): doi.org/10.1371/jour... 🧪 #neurosckyence
This paper introduces our synaptopodin (Synpo) knockout rats. Synpo encodes an actin-binding protein (named for brain synapses and the kidney podocytes where it was first found).
(1/11)
This paper introduces our synaptopodin (Synpo) knockout rats. Synpo encodes an actin-binding protein (named for brain synapses and the kidney podocytes where it was first found).
(1/11)
How does IL-12 contribute to lupus nephritis?
New study shows IL-12 directly acts on podocytes, triggering mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS accumulation, senescence, & cytoskeletal disruption. Podocyte-specific deletion of IL-12R protects against kidney injury and proteinuria
doi.org/10.1002/art....
New study shows IL-12 directly acts on podocytes, triggering mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS accumulation, senescence, & cytoskeletal disruption. Podocyte-specific deletion of IL-12R protects against kidney injury and proteinuria
doi.org/10.1002/art....
August 27, 2026 at 8:58 PM
How does IL-12 contribute to lupus nephritis?
New study shows IL-12 directly acts on podocytes, triggering mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS accumulation, senescence, & cytoskeletal disruption. Podocyte-specific deletion of IL-12R protects against kidney injury and proteinuria
doi.org/10.1002/art....
New study shows IL-12 directly acts on podocytes, triggering mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS accumulation, senescence, & cytoskeletal disruption. Podocyte-specific deletion of IL-12R protects against kidney injury and proteinuria
doi.org/10.1002/art....
Molecular Medicine-Article In Press: Human podocytes uniquely express CD47 to limit ITGAV-dependent TGF-β signaling for protection #Kidney #Podocytes #CD47 #TGFbeta link.springer.com/article/10.1...
August 24, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Molecular Medicine-Article In Press: Human podocytes uniquely express CD47 to limit ITGAV-dependent TGF-β signaling for protection #Kidney #Podocytes #CD47 #TGFbeta link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Paper out on single-cell damage scores.📜Quantify the damage of single podocytes or hepatocytes using their transcriptomes to study degenerative diseases. Big congrats to the Beyer-Lab members Tim Padvitski and Paula Unger 🍾🌟🎉 Thanks to all the fantastic collaborators!
www.cell.com/cell-genomic...
www.cell.com/cell-genomic...
Cell-type-specific damage scores reveal kidney and liver disease trajectories in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
Padvitski, Unger Avila, Chen et al. introduce a single-cell transcriptomic framework
that quantifies progressive cellular damage across degenerative disease models. Applied
to kidney and liver injury,...
www.cell.com
August 21, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Paper out on single-cell damage scores.📜Quantify the damage of single podocytes or hepatocytes using their transcriptomes to study degenerative diseases. Big congrats to the Beyer-Lab members Tim Padvitski and Paula Unger 🍾🌟🎉 Thanks to all the fantastic collaborators!
www.cell.com/cell-genomic...
www.cell.com/cell-genomic...
Fructose may damage mitochondria directly — not just through metabolism. It binds TOM22, disrupting import machinery in kidney podocytes. Blocking that interaction restored function. A structural mechanism, and a signal worth watching in CKD.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-026-02896-x
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-026-02896-x
August 18, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Fructose may damage mitochondria directly — not just through metabolism. It binds TOM22, disrupting import machinery in kidney podocytes. Blocking that interaction restored function. A structural mechanism, and a signal worth watching in CKD.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-026-02896-x
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-026-02896-x
Could fructose impair podocyte function independently of its metabolism?
This study shows that #Fructose remodels the mitochondrial TOM complex via TOM22, disrupting protein import, translation, and oxidative phosphorylation. @tsinghuauniversity.bsky.social
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1038/s413...
This study shows that #Fructose remodels the mitochondrial TOM complex via TOM22, disrupting protein import, translation, and oxidative phosphorylation. @tsinghuauniversity.bsky.social
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1038/s413...
August 18, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Could fructose impair podocyte function independently of its metabolism?
This study shows that #Fructose remodels the mitochondrial TOM complex via TOM22, disrupting protein import, translation, and oxidative phosphorylation. @tsinghuauniversity.bsky.social
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1038/s413...
This study shows that #Fructose remodels the mitochondrial TOM complex via TOM22, disrupting protein import, translation, and oxidative phosphorylation. @tsinghuauniversity.bsky.social
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1038/s413...
New Review in the ASNKidney journal, "Nonhistone Post-translational Modifications as Integrative Signaling Networks in Podocyte Injury and Glomerular Disease" with Yannic Becker, Patricia Schroder, Hermann Haller & Guibao Ke. 🔬 #ScientificResearchPublishing
Nonhistone Post-translational Modifications as... : Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
Podocytes are key structural components of the glomerular filtration barrier and are essential for maintaining selective protein filtration. Podocyte...
doi.org
August 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM
New Review in the ASNKidney journal, "Nonhistone Post-translational Modifications as Integrative Signaling Networks in Podocyte Injury and Glomerular Disease" with Yannic Becker, Patricia Schroder, Hermann Haller & Guibao Ke. 🔬 #ScientificResearchPublishing
Inflammatory proteolysis generates pathogenic APOL1 fragments with distinct intracellular toxicities in podocytes derived from children with HIV associated nephropathy. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.12.744497v1
August 14, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Inflammatory proteolysis generates pathogenic APOL1 fragments with distinct intracellular toxicities in podocytes derived from children with HIV associated nephropathy. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.12.744497v1
Inflammatory proteolysis generates pathogenic APOL1 fragments with distinct intracellular toxicities in podocytes derived from children with HIV associated nephropathy. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.12.744497v1
August 14, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Inflammatory proteolysis generates pathogenic APOL1 fragments with distinct intracellular toxicities in podocytes derived from children with HIV associated nephropathy. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.12.744497v1
Podocin Oligomerization links Slit Diaphragm Architecture and NPHS2 Genetics - Kidney International www.kidney-international.org/article/S008...
Podocin Oligomerization links Slit Diaphragm Architecture and NPHS2 Genetics
The podocyte slit diaphragm (SD) is a specialized intercellular junction connecting
adjacent podocytes that mediates size-selective passage of primary filtrate into Bowman's
space. The SD’s principal ...
www.kidney-international.org
August 6, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Podocin Oligomerization links Slit Diaphragm Architecture and NPHS2 Genetics - Kidney International www.kidney-international.org/article/S008...
What makes most of these organs confusing is trying to represent them diagrammatically but then rendering pseudo-realistically. It helps no one.
The scales of these structures vary and fail to highlight any of the interesting/functional structures.
Give the podocytes their fair shake, godammit.
The scales of these structures vary and fail to highlight any of the interesting/functional structures.
Give the podocytes their fair shake, godammit.
August 2, 2026 at 9:59 PM
What makes most of these organs confusing is trying to represent them diagrammatically but then rendering pseudo-realistically. It helps no one.
The scales of these structures vary and fail to highlight any of the interesting/functional structures.
Give the podocytes their fair shake, godammit.
The scales of these structures vary and fail to highlight any of the interesting/functional structures.
Give the podocytes their fair shake, godammit.
10/ How does HBV actually injure the podocyte?
Podocytes in HBV-associated MN have increased expression of extracellular-matrix genes, and kidney endothelial cells are enriched in inflammatory pathways including NF-κB, IL-17, and TNF signaling.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
Podocytes in HBV-associated MN have increased expression of extracellular-matrix genes, and kidney endothelial cells are enriched in inflammatory pathways including NF-κB, IL-17, and TNF signaling.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
July 30, 2026 at 4:36 PM
10/ How does HBV actually injure the podocyte?
Podocytes in HBV-associated MN have increased expression of extracellular-matrix genes, and kidney endothelial cells are enriched in inflammatory pathways including NF-κB, IL-17, and TNF signaling.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
Podocytes in HBV-associated MN have increased expression of extracellular-matrix genes, and kidney endothelial cells are enriched in inflammatory pathways including NF-κB, IL-17, and TNF signaling.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
Single-cell and high-resolution spatial profiling of podocytopathies reveals core mechanisms of podocyte injury
Science Advances
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Science Advances
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Single-cell and high-resolution spatial profiling of podocytopathies reveals core mechanisms of podocyte injury
PDE4DIP emerges as a potential target for protecting podocytes and preserving kidney filtration.
www.science.org
July 25, 2026 at 5:41 AM
Single-cell and high-resolution spatial profiling of podocytopathies reveals core mechanisms of podocyte injury
Science Advances
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Science Advances
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
FcRn identified as a novel therapeutic target for diabetic kidney disease, offering a strategy to mitigate the substantial residual risk of disease progression despite current therapies.
Read here ➡️ doi.org/10.2337/db26-0008
Read here ➡️ doi.org/10.2337/db26-0008
July 24, 2026 at 10:15 PM
FcRn identified as a novel therapeutic target for diabetic kidney disease, offering a strategy to mitigate the substantial residual risk of disease progression despite current therapies.
Read here ➡️ doi.org/10.2337/db26-0008
Read here ➡️ doi.org/10.2337/db26-0008
Glycolysis-associated enzyme PKLR highlighted in cytoplasm of proximal tubular cells (green) in the kidney using multiplex immunohistochemistry. Other highlighted kidney structures are Distal tubules (red), podocytes (yellow) and endothelial cells (magenta).
www.proteinatlas.org/news/2026-06...
www.proteinatlas.org/news/2026-06...
June 10, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Glycolysis-associated enzyme PKLR highlighted in cytoplasm of proximal tubular cells (green) in the kidney using multiplex immunohistochemistry. Other highlighted kidney structures are Distal tubules (red), podocytes (yellow) and endothelial cells (magenta).
www.proteinatlas.org/news/2026-06...
www.proteinatlas.org/news/2026-06...