Mesangial cells lie close to the capillary lumen and play an important role in glomerular hemodynamics and immune complex clearance. Biology suggests that they may be critical in regulating acute and chronic control of the glomerular microcirculation.
The mesangial cells are a “stalk-like” support network that holds the coils and loops of capillaries in place, but they also play other roles.
Mesangial cells provide structural support to the glomerular tuft, produce and maintain mesangial matrix, communicate with other glomerular cells by secreting soluble factors, and may contribute to the glomerular capillary flow via their contractile properties
Mesangial cells form30_40% of glomeruli structural support tuft produce and mantain mesangnial matrix,al also contribute glomeruli capillary via their contrctil properties. Acting major role in the function of kidney.
Mesangial cells generate their own extracellular matrix and together they constitute the central stalk of the glomerulus. In close partnership with endothelial cells and podocytes, they form the functional glomerular unit and are in continuity with the extraglomerular mesangium and the JGA. Mesangial cell injury directly or indirectly contributes to a wide variety of glomerular diseases. Mesangioproliferative diseases are typically associated with mesangial Ig deposition and comprise primary diseases such as IgA nephropathy, mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, and systemic diseases such as lupus nephritis. Mesangial matrix expansion with diffuse or nodular glomerulosclerosis is a typical feature of diabetic nephropathy. The induction of hemolytic uremic syndrome by bevacizumab, an antibody against VEGF, in the treatment of patients with cancer is associated with proteinuria, mesangiolysis, glomerular endothelial damage, and basement membrane duplication.
Mesangiolysis occurs following an acute insult such as with toxins or directly through destruction of mesangial cells by antibodies directed against a mesangial antigen ( in rats). The resultant pathology is characterized by mesangiolysis and replacement of capillary loops with capillary balloons, similar to the congenital defects observed in knockouts for endothelial PDGF-B or mesangial PDGFR-β. Some of these observations suggest that mesangial cells may act as specialized pericytes supporting glomerular capillary loops.
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