Pathogenesis of Progressive Sclerosis in the Renal Glomeruli, One of Representative Microvasculatures

In the glomerulus, the endocapillary region is a closed space surrounded by the glomerular basement membrane, comprised of a capillary lumen, endothelial cells, mesangial cells, and mesangial matrices. We hypothesized that mesangial cell dysfunction such as abnormal cell proliferation and extracellular matrix production can be induced by loss of intrinsic cell-cell and/or-matrix interaction, finally leading to glomerulosclerosis. Here, I would like to review our research works which have been accumulated in my career, particularly our recent papers concerning the mechanisms of progressive glomerulosclerosis