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Glomerular Epithelial and Mesangial Cell Culture and Characterization

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Human Cell Culture Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 806))

Abstract

Culture of isolated kidney glomerular cells has been employed for almost four decades as a tool to dissect pathophysiological effects of individual cell types in renal disease. This chapter aims to highlight in detail the available techniques to isolate, culture, and characterize human glomerular epithelial and mesangial cells. To establish primary culture of these cells, glomeruli are isolated from the cortex of kidney by differential sieving and cellular outgrowths from cultured glomeruli further subcultured in appropriately coated tissue culture plates/flasks. Methods used for characterization of isolated glomerular mesangial and epithelial cells (podocytes) are described as are the phenotypic markers useful for identification. Other sources of isolated glomerular cells such as immortalized cell lines are briefly discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Applied Medicine, School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

    Heather M. Wilson & Keith N. Stewart

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  1. Heather M. Wilson
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  2. Keith N. Stewart
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Correspondence to Keith N. Stewart .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom

    Ragai R. Mitry

  2. School of Medicine, Inst. Liver Studies, King's College London, Bessemer Rd., London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom

    Robin D. Hughes

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Wilson, H.M., Stewart, K.N. (2012). Glomerular Epithelial and Mesangial Cell Culture and Characterization. In: Mitry, R., Hughes, R. (eds) Human Cell Culture Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 806. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-367-7_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-367-7_13

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-366-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-367-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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