Alexander Staruschenko, Ph.D., Professor of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI. “Calcium signaling as an emerging determinant of podocyte injury in diabetic nephropathy”.
Diabetes and its renal complications are becoming an epidemic in the U.S. population. One of the major morbidity and mortality factors confronted by patients with diabetes is an increased risk of developing diabetic nephropathy (DN) that often progresses to end-stage renal disease. The podocyte has become a crucial focus as a target for interventions in kidney disease due to its key role in regulating glomerular permeability and maintaining glomerular structure. One of the main factors determining pathological changes of glomerular morphology and permeability are linked to elevation of podocyte intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are Ca2+-permeable channels that are important in the pathogenesis of renal and cardiovascular diseases. These channels are responsible for the rise of [Ca2+]i in podocytes in response to various stimuli. Contribution of Ang II-ROS signaling in regulation of TRPC channels and [Ca2+]i in podocytes in the setting of DN will be presented in this seminar. Role of purinergic signaling in calcium flux in podocytes will be further discussed.
Friday, January 19, 2018, 11:00AM – 12:00PM, LIB-110
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Fort Worth, Texas