The glomerular filtration barrier separates the blood from the urinary space and consists of
two major cell types: podocytes and fenestrated endothelial cells. Mesangial cells sit
between the capillary loops and provide structural support. Proliferation and loss of
mesangial cells both are central findings in a number of renal diseases, including diabetic
nephropathy and mesangiolysis, respectively. Using cell-specific gene targeting, it was
shown previously that vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) production by …