Figure 5. Podocytes maturating on ECM produced by fibroblasts cultured in MMC conditions express high levels of specific molecules.

Podocytes cultured (14 days) on DCM showed native morphology and co localization of synaptopodin with actin cytoskeletal network (a). Western blotting (b) (densitometric readings c, n=3,) confirmed higher expression of nephrin (*p<0.0001) and synaptopodin (*p<0.002) on decellularized ECM rich substrate under differentiation condition (14 days). The immunofluorescence staining of podocytes cultured in ECM produced by fibroblasts cultured under MMC conditions confirmed high expression of synaptopodin (d) and nephrin (e).