Human Podocytes

Overview

Human Podocytes is a cell model used for research applications where physiologically relevant identity and donor background support interpretation of experimental readouts. Human Epithelial Cell derived from Kidney (Podocytes) within the Urinary system.

Glomerular podocytes in kidney are highly specialized visceral epithelial cells with a complex cytoarchitecture. These cells feature finger-like projections called “foot process” that interlock with each other, creating tiny gaps known as filtration slits that play a crucial role in filtering blood within the glomerulus [1,2] . Podocytes are involved in a variety of glomerular functions, including glomerular basement membrane turnover, maintenance of filtration barrier, support of the capillary tuft, regulation of glomerular filtration and immunological functions. Injury to podocytes may lead to proteinuria, a hallmark of most glomerular diseases and chronic kidney disease. Disruptions of podocyte architecture resulting in the retraction of foot processes and proteinuria are common features in the progression of acquired glomerular disease [3,4] . iXCells Biotechnologies offers high quality primary Human Podocytes isolated from human kidney obtained by following IRB protocol and cryopreserved at P2, with ≥ 0.5 million viable cells in each vial. These podocytes have been characterized by the proliferation, and the expression of cell type specific markers, including CD2AP, Nephrin, NPHS2, Podocin, Synaptopodin (Figure 1, 2). Human Podocytes are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. These cells can be maintained in Podocyte Culture Medium (Cat# MD-0120) and expanded for 2~3 passages under conditions suggested by iXCells Biotechnologies. Further expansion may decrease podocyte particular traits such as foot processes and expression of slit diaphragm proteins. Figure 1. Human Podocytes. The cells were recovered, and seeded at 10,000 cells/cm 2 following iXCells’ protocol. Phase contrast images were taken at the indicated time post-recovery.

Key elements and design rationale

• Cell identity: Epithelial Cell (Primary Cells)
• Source context: Kidney; Podocytes; Urinary
• Biosafety level: BSL-2 (follow your institution’s biosafety program and local regulations)

Product-specific elements (such as tissue source, donor background, and cell classification) help frame how results should be interpreted across assays and experimental conditions.

Biological background

Epithelial cells provide barrier and transport functions across tissues, coordinating innate defense, secretion, and repair responses in the face of environmental and inflammatory stressors.

Across primary and specialty cell models, experimental outcomes can be influenced by donor heterogeneity, passage history, confluence, and media composition. For interpretation, it is common to validate key markers or functional phenotypes in the user’s assay context and to document culture variables consistently.

Research relevance and current trends

• Increasing use of primary and specialty cells to improve translational relevance for target biology and phenotypic screening.
• Adoption of 3D culture formats and co-culture systems to better capture tissue microenvironments and cell–cell interactions.
• Integration of functional readouts with single-cell and multi-omics profiling to connect phenotype with molecular state.

Common research applications

• Profile identity markers by flow cytometry or immunostaining in cultured cells
• Quantify functional responses to defined stimuli relevant to the model system
• Compare baseline phenotype across donors/conditions using gene expression profiling
• Assess transporter or injury-response pathways relevant to renal/urologic biology
• Screen compounds or genetic perturbations for phenotype modulation using viability or imaging endpoints

Interpretation typically focuses on how a perturbation (e.g., cytokine exposure, metabolic stress, genetic manipulation, or compound treatment) shifts marker profiles or functional readouts relative to an appropriate control matched for donor and culture variables.

Notes for experimental interpretation

• Donor-to-donor heterogeneity can influence baseline phenotype and treatment response; include biological replicates when feasible.
• Passage number, confluence, and media composition can shift gene expression and functional readouts; track and report these variables consistently.
• Contamination control (including routine mycoplasma monitoring) supports reproducibility in downstream assays.
• Use appropriate negative/positive controls for the readout (e.g., unstimulated controls, pathway agonists/antagonists) to contextualize observed changes.

SKU:BHC18500278

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