Does angiopoietin-Tie signaling affect podocyte integrity in kidney glomeruli?

We recently discovered TIE1 and TIE2 receptor signaling on kidney glomerular podocytes, which are important cells of the glomerular filtration barrier. To investigate if TIE-receptors regulate glomerular integrity, we will investigate the role of this signaling system on podocyte function, i.e. survival, migration, proliferation and permeability. In addition, we will investigate the downstream
signaling pathways regulated by TIE-receptors in podocytes.