Abstract: FR-PO0756
Super-Resolution Microscopy Filtration Slit Density Measurements in Various Kidney Diseases: Results from a Real-World Feasibility Study
Session Information
- Glomerular Diseases: Cell Homeostasis and Novel Injury Mechanisms
November 07, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Glomerular Diseases
- 1401 Glomerular Diseases: Mechanisms, including Podocyte Biology
Authors
- Tampe, Bjoern, Universitatsmedizin Gottingen, Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
- Kluge, Ingmar Alexander, Universitatsmedizin Gottingen, Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
- Endlich, Tim, NIPOKA, Greifswald, Germany
- Hakroush, Samy, Klinikum Bremen Mitte, Bremen, Germany
- Endlich, Nicole, NIPOKA, Greifswald, Germany
Background
The kidney filtration barrier is dependent on podocyte foot process morphology and ultrastructural. However, the size of podocyte foot processes and the slit diaphragm in between is below the optical resolution limit of light microscopy and therefore electron microscopy (EM) had to be used for analysis in the past. We have recently developed a software-based approach to directly quantify the structure of podocyte foot processes named Podocyte Exact Morphology Measurement Procedure (PEMP). Particularly, PEMP allows the quantification of changes of the foot process morphology by measuring the filtration slit density (FSD). We here aimed to expand our current knowledge about the utility of PEMP in clinical practice by FSD measurements among various glomerular diseases.
Methods
FSD measurements were quantified by using the PEMP in a total number of 83 kidney biopsy specimens among various glomerular diseases from the University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany. By software analysis, the total slit diaphragm length (lSD) and the capillary area (A) were determined. FSD values were calculated from the ratio of the lSD and A.
Results
We here show variability of FSD measurements among different kidney diseases from a real-world cohort. In addition, FSD reduction was associated with impairment of kidney function and glomerular proteinuria. Interestingly, these FSD measurements had additional value as compared to electron microscopy in terms of podocyte foot process morphology.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we here show feasibility of the PEMP in clinical practice that might add significant information about podocyte biology in a real-world feasibility study.