Restoration of Podocyte Phenotype in Culture

The most distinctive characteristic of podocytes in the kidney is the presence of interdigitating cell processes with nephrin and podocin that are concentrated at sites of cell–cell contact. Unfortunately, these defining features are easily lost in culture. We previously reported culture conditions that can restore the differentiated phenotypes in primary cultures of rat podocyte. Since then, some of the materials used have been discontinued or improved. In this chapter, we therefore provide our most recent protocol for the restoration of the podocyte phenotype in culture.