Biomarkers of endothelial injury in focal segmental glomerulosclerotic nephrosis

Abstract

Enhanced circulating endothelial cells, elevated transforming growth factor beta, and depleted vascular endothelial growth factor were observed in nephrosis associated with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Increased endothelial cell loss may be due to the elevated transforming growth factor beta, which can induce apoptosis of podocyte as well as tubular epithelium. Such injury may explain the depletion of vascular endothelial growth factor and increased endothelial cell loss in these patients. There biomarkers may have relevance to the altered intrarenal hemodynamics commonly observed in FSGS nephrosis.