The Lipid–Podocyte Axis: Emerging Clues in Membranous Nephropathy Pathogenesis

Abstract

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is an immune-mediated glomerular disease and the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Classical paradigms concentrate on the binding of circulating autoantibodies (e.g., anti-PLA2R, anti-THSD7A) to podocytes, resulting in subepithelial immune deposits, complement activation, and podocyte damage. Nonetheless, mounting evidence suggests that lipid metabolism in podocytes is a crucial regulator of MN pathophysiology. Podocyte slit diaphragms are situated within specialized cholesterol-enriched lipid rafts that orchestrate essential structural and signaling complexes. Disturbances in podocyte lipid metabolism (such as excessive uptake or compromised efflux of cholesterol and fatty acids) lead to "lipotoxicity," marked by mitochondrial oxidative stress, cytoskeletal reorganization, and proinflammatory signaling, ultimately resulting in podocyte hypertrophy, detachment, and apoptosis. This review consolidates recent discoveries regarding the interaction between lipid homeostasis and podocyte biology in minimal change nephropathy (MN). We investigate the interplay between dysregulated lipid profiles, metabolic pathways, and immune injury— specifically, through the promotion of inflammasome activation or the alteration of antigen presentation—and how these interactions may exacerbate glomerular damage. We also talk about translational implications, like how lipid-associated biomarkers (serum lipids, lipidomic signatures, cholesterol-regulatory genes) are related to disease activity and how new therapies (statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, cyclodextrins, nuclear receptor agonists, etc.) might be used to target the metabolic part of MN. The "lipid–podocyte axis" connects podocyte lipid metabolism with immune pathogenesis. This gives us a new way to think about MN and opens up new possibilities for diagnosis and treatment.