Podocytes produce homeostatic chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXCL12, which contributes to glomerulosclerosis, podocyte loss and albuminuria in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes

Aims/hypothesis Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12) (also known as stromal cell-derived factor-1 [SDF-1]-alpha) is a homeostatic chemokine with multiple roles in cell homing, tumour metastasis, angiogenesis and tissue regeneration after acute injuries. However, its role in chronic diseases remains poorly defined, e.g. in chronic glomerular diseases like diabetic glomerulosclerosis. We hypothesised that CXCL12 may have a functional role during the evolution of diabetic glomerulosclerosis, either by assisting glomerular repair or by supporting the maladaptive tissue remodelling in response to hyperglycaemia and glomerular hyperfiltration.