Glomerular capillary growth and cellular hyperplasia in a model of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis

Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a chronic renal disorder characterized by segmental glomerular lesions and widespread podocyte foot process effacement. We have previously shown that glomerular enlargement (hypertrophy) precedes the development of FSGS in an animal model not previously thought to involve glomerular hypertrophy. This hypertrophy involved growth of glomerular capillaries. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the capillary growth involved an increase in the number of capillaries per glomerulus, or lengthening of existing capillaries. In addition, we examined the contribution of glomerular cell hyperplasia to the hypertrophy. We found that glomerular capillary growth in this model appears to primarily involve lengthening of existing capillaries rather that sprouting of new capillaries, and that glomerular cell proliferation contributes to the glomerular hypertrophy.