Cited by 105Renal Diseases and GlomerulopathiesAdvanced Proteomics Techniques and ApplicationsRenal and related cancers

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 84 of the 84 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 53 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

A Multi-layered Quantitative In Vivo Expression Atlas of the Podocyte Unravels Kidney Disease Candidate Genes

Open access

Abstract

Damage to and loss of glomerular podocytes has been identified as the culprit lesion in progressive kidney diseases. Here, we combine mass spectrometry-based proteomics with mRNA sequencing, bioinformatics, and hypothesis-driven studies to provide a comprehensive and quantitative map of mammalian podocytes that identifies unanticipated signaling pathways. Comparison of the in vivo datasets with proteomics data from podocyte cell cultures showed a limited value of available cell culture models. Moreover, in vivo stable isotope labeling by amino acids uncovered surprisingly rapid synthesis of mitochondrial proteins under steady-state conditions that was perturbed under autophagy-deficient, disease-susceptible conditions. Integration of acquired omics dimensions suggested FARP1 as a candidate essential for podocyte function, which could be substantiated by genetic analysis in humans and knockdown experiments in zebrafish. This work exemplifies how the integration of multi-omics datasets can identify a framework of cell-type-specific features relevant for organ health and disease.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This study combines quantitative in vivo proteomics, mRNA sequencing, and dynamic stable isotope labeling to build a multi-layered atlas of mouse podocytes and glomerular non-podocytes. Integrating these datasets identifies podocyte-enriched proteins, cell-culture artifacts, proteostatic features, and FARP1 as a candidate nephrotic syndrome gene.

Key findings

  • Deep mapping identified more than 9,000 proteins, with absolute quantification of 6,979 proteins; 551 proteins were significantly podocyte-enriched. Disease-associated genes comprised 35 of 7,000 (0.5%) quantified proteins but contributed approximately 4% of podocyte protein mass, and the slit diaphragm complex podocin-Neph1-Nephrin-Fat1 showed a copy-number ratio of ∼10:2:1:0.5.
  • Podocyte mRNA and protein abundances correlated only weakly overall (Pearson’s R = 0.47), though the correlation was stronger for podocytes than non-podocytes; 2D enrichment showed ECM proteins decreased and metabolic proteins stabilized relative to mRNA.
  • In vivo stable isotope labeling revealed rapid synthesis of mitochondrial proteins under steady-state conditions; ATG5 podocyte-specific knockout podocytes showed significantly lower incorporation of ER proteins and significantly higher incorporation of mitochondrial proteins compared with controls.
  • Multi-omics integration nominated FARP1: a homozygous FARP1 mutation was found in one family with nephrotic syndrome, and farp1 knockdown in zebrafish larvae caused pericardial edema and proteinuria.

Methods

  • Podocytes and non-podocyte glomerular cells were isolated by FACS from hNPHS2Cre∗mT/mG mice, then analyzed by mass spectrometry-based proteomics, mRNA sequencing, and bioinformatics; absolute protein quantification used iBAQ and the proteomic ruler.
  • In vivo stable isotope labeling used adult mice fed 13C6-lysine for 1, 2, and 3 weeks, with hierarchical clustering of heavy/light ratios and comparison to ATG5 podocyte-specific knockout mice.
  • Cultured mouse and human podocytes were compared with native podocytes, including growth on soft matrices with an elastic modulus of 12 kPa; human genetic screening used exome sequencing of 430 families with hereditary nephrotic syndrome and a second cohort of 700 patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Limitations

  • Stated: stable isotope incorporation data “do not strictly correlate with a protein ‘half-life’ because of intracellular amino acid recycling”; several known podocyte genes, such as Trpc6, were identified but could not be quantified because of low abundance; the second FARP1 patient’s alleles could not be confirmed to segregate because family DNA was unavailable; and the ATG5-related mitochondrial findings “need further corroboration.”
  • Evident from the text: the human genetic evidence for FARP1 is limited to one homozygous family plus a second heterozygous patient with unclear segregation, and the functional support comes from zebrafish knockdown rather than rescue experiments.
  • Evident from the text: the cell-culture comparison relies on a previously published immortalized mouse podocyte line, and the paper notes that soft-matrix culture does not restore podocyte-specific actin binders or membrane proteins.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.04.059

Cites

84 of 84 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

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Show all 70 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 25
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 25
49 of 49
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Damage to and loss of glomerular podocytes is the culprit lesion in progressive kidney diseases.

    “Damage to and loss of glomerular podocytes has been identified as the culprit lesion in progressive kidney diseases.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Deterioration of podocyte function and subsequent proteinuria are critical accelerators of renal functional decline in disease states.

    “deterioration of podocyte function and subsequent proteinuria are critical accelerators of renal functional decline in disease states.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The molecular identity of the podocyte is not defined.

    “the molecular identity of the podocyte is not defined”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    It is unclear how podocyte function could be targeted therapeutically.

    “it is unclear how its function could be targeted therapeutically.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The podocyte needs to maintain its proteome because of considerable metabolic and mechanical stress, and this is a prerequisite to maintain its architecture, cytoskeletal integrity, signal transduction, and metabolic function.

    “Because of considerable metabolic and mechanical stress, the podocyte needs to maintain its proteome—a prerequisite to maintain its architecture, cytoskeletal integrity, signal transduction, and metabolic function.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most genes mutated in genetic forms of proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome encode podocyte-enriched genes.

    “Most of the genes mutated in genetic forms of proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome encode for podocyte-enriched genes.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Podocyte cell cultures are a commonly used tool in podocyte research.

    “a commonly used tool in podocyte research.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The podocyte is in a steady-state equilibrium with respect to mitochondrial protein synthesis and degradation.

    “assuming a steady-state equilibrium”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The podocyte is a central gatekeeper to prevent proteinuria and renal failure.

    “the podocyte has emerged as a central gatekeeper to prevent proteinuria and renal failure, two unmet and frequent clinical symptoms associated with dramatically increased cardiovascular risk.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Interrogation of individual cell types at multiple omics levels can yield insights into both essential molecular components and preventive strategies.

    “Interrogation of individual cell types at multiple omics levels can yield insights into both essential molecular components and preventive strategies.”
10 of 10

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Figure 4B reverses which sample has lower protein abundance

    Minor

    The results text says the Figure 4B clusters have lower abundance in cultured cells than in native podocytes. The caption says abundance is lower in native podocytes than in cultured podocytes.

  • Figure 3D is described as both enriched and de-enriched

    Minor

    The results text assigns enriched protein categories to Figure 3D, whereas the caption describes Figure 3D as showing significantly de-enriched terms.

  • Figure 3C is described as both reduced and overrepresented

    Minor

    The results text assigns reduced mitochondrial and RNA/DNA-binding protein representation to Figure 3C, but the caption says Figure 3C shows overrepresented terms.

3 of 3

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Metadata

Authors
Rinschen, M. M., Gödel, M., Grahammer, F., Zschiedrich, S., Helmstädter, M., Kretz, O., Zarei, M., Braun, D. A., Dittrich, S., Pahmeyer, C., Schroder, P., Teetzen, C., Gee, H., Daouk, G., Pohl, M., Kuhn, E., Schermer, B., Küttner, V., Boerries, M., Busch, H., Schiffer, M., Bergmann, C., Krüger, M., Hildebrandt, F., Dengjel, J., Benzing, T., & Huber, T. B.
Affiliations
  • University of Cologne (DE)
  • University of Freiburg (DE)
  • Boston Children's Hospital (US)
  • Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (US)
Corresponding author
  • Rinschen, Markus M.
  • Benzing, Thomas
  • Huber, Tobias B.
Venue
Cell Reports
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-05
Volume
23
Issue
8
Pages
2495-2508
ISSN
2211-1247 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2803593737
Cited by
105
References
84
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 3
FWCI
10.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Kölner Universitäts PublikationsServer (Universität zu Köln) (publishedVersion)
  • RERO DOC (Universität Bern) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • YUHSpace (Yonsei University Medical Library) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (R01-DK076683)
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (KFO 329, Ri 2811/1-1, HU 1016/8-1, CRC 1140, HU 1016/5-1)
  • Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (01GM1515C, FKZ 01ZX1409B, STOP-FSGS 01GM1518C)
  • American Society of Nephrology
  • Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung
  • Fritz Thyssen Stiftung (01GM1518A, 10.16.2.026MN)
  • Center for Mendelian Genomics, University of Washington (U54HG006504)
  • European Research Council
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Nephrology › Renal Diseases and Glomerulopathies
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Spectroscopy › Advanced Proteomics Techniques and Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Renal and related cancers
Keywords
podocytes, glomerular disease, kidney disease, multi-omics integration, stable isotope labeling, mitochondrial translation, autophagy, cell type-specific gene expression, zebrafish knockdown, cell culture model
MeSH terms
Animals, Base Sequence, Cells, Cultured, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Kidney Diseases, Zebrafish, Proteome, Podocytes, Mice, Genetic Association Studies, Transcriptome

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