Urinary detection of podocyte injury.

Glomerular epithelial cell (podocyte) biology has been focused on in the last few years. The emerging understanding in podocyte biology has improved the molecular mechanism knowledge in many glomerular diseases. Urinary podocyte count and measurement of urinary podocyte specific markers (nephrin and podocalyxin) have been developed to detect podocyte injury. We discuss the emerging clinical importance of the urinary podocyte count in experimental and human glomerular disease, as well as measurement of urinary podocyte specific marker.