Podocyte loss and glomerular hypertrophy are associated with development of
glomerulosclerosis, suggesting that there may be a maximal area for each podocyte in terms
of its capacity to support and maintain the glomerular filter. This study hypothesized that
exceeding this maximal threshold will result in mesangial expansion and
glomerulosclerosis. It may therefore be useful to measure podocyte number, glomerular
volume, and glomerular volume per podocyte in clinical biopsy samples. An approach that …