What does the glomerular basement membrane do?

Introduction. The glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is an integral component of the glomerular filtration barrier; an important and highly complex capillary wall that is exposed to mechanical forces driven by capillary hydrostatic pressure.

What is the glomerular basement membrane components?

The four major components of the glomerular basement membrane are laminin, collagen, heparan sulfate proteoglycans (agrin is shown), and nidogen.

What is a normal glomerular basement membrane?

The glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is a ribbon-like extracellular matrix that lies between the endothelium and the podocyte foot processes (FPs). The mesangium contains mesangial cells and their associated matrix. A parietal epithelial cell (PEC) is visible lining Bowman’s capsule.

What causes glomerular basement membrane thickening?

Thickening of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is a characteristic early change in diabetic nephropathy, and it strongly correlates with urinary albumin excretion.

What is a glomerular membrane?

The glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is the central, non-cellular layer of the glomerular filtration barrier that is situated between the two cellular components—fenestrated endothelial cells and interdigitated podocyte foot processes.

What cells produce basement membrane?

Basement membranes are composed of several specific molecules such as type IV collagen, laminin, proteoglycans and entactin/nidogen and are produced mainly by the endothelial cell layer.

What happens if basement membrane thickens?

Basement membrane thickening is accompanied by changes of the visceral glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes), which lie on the GBM. There is a progressive loss of podocyte foot processes and narrowing of the filtration slits, while the number of podocytes decreases with increased albumin excretion rate (AER) 4-6.