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Quantifying podocyte depletion: theoretical and practical considerations

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Abstract

Podocyte depletion is a central event in the pathogenesis of many glomerular diseases. For this reason, methods to quantify podocyte depletion have become increasingly important. Here, we review currently available methods for quantifying podocyte depletion, including the analysis of glomerular cross-sections, the most important and common stereological methods and newer techniques such as whole glomerular analysis in optically cleared samples. Each method has advantages and limitations. We therefore discuss theoretical and practical considerations to assist the selection of the most appropriate method for an individual study.

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Acknowledgements

Support was provided from the consortium STOP-FSGS by the German Ministry for Science and Education (BMBF 01-GM1518A, to M.J.M.), TP17 of SFB/Transregio 57 of the German Research Foundation (DFG to M.J.M.) and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC 1065902 and 1121793 to J.F.B.) and the Diabetes Australia Research Trust (DART to J.F.B.). V.G.P. was awarded a C.J. Martin Fellowship (NHMRC 1128582) and M.J.M. was awarded a Heisenberg professorship (DFG MO 1082/7-1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany

    Victor G. Puelles & Marcus J. Moeller

  2. Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    Victor G. Puelles & John F. Bertram

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  1. Victor G. Puelles
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Correspondence to Victor G. Puelles.

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Puelles, V.G., Bertram, J.F. & Moeller, M.J. Quantifying podocyte depletion: theoretical and practical considerations. Cell Tissue Res 369, 229–236 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-017-2630-z

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