Progress and controversies in unraveling the glomerular filtration mechanism. Issue 3 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saritas, Turgay; Kuppe, Christoph; Moeller, Marcus J.
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in nephrology and hypertension. Volume 24:Issue 3(2015:May)
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Periodicals; Nephrology -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Indexes; Hypertension -- Periodicals; Kidney Diseases -- Indexes; Kidney Diseases -- Periodicals; Nephrology -- Periodicals; 616.132
• DOI: 10.1097/MNH.0000000000000116
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-4821

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Purpose of review</title> <p>At first sight, the glomerular filter appears like a problem that should be easily solved. The majority of researchers view the filter like an impermeable wall perforated by specialized and size-selective pores (pore model). However, the fact that this model is in conflict with many of the experimental findings suggests that it may not yet be complete.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Recent findings</title> <p>In the more recent electrokinetic model, we have proposed including electrical effects (streaming potentials). The present review investigates how this can provide a relatively simple mechanistic explanation for the great majority of the so far unexplained characteristics of the filter, for example why the filter never clogs.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Summary</title> <p>Understanding how the glomerular filter functions is a prerequisite to investigate the pathogenesis of proteinuric glomerular diseases and the link between glomerular proteinuria and cardiovascular disease.</p> </sec> </abstract>