Podocytes form the backbone of the glomerular filtration barrier and are exposed to various mechanical forces throughout the lifetime of an individual. The highly dynamic biomechanical environment of the glomerular capillaries greatly influences the cell biology of podocytes and their pathophysiology. Throughout the past two decades, a holistic picture of podocyte cell biology has emerged, highlighting mechanobiological signalling pathways, cytoskeletal dynamics and cellular adhesion as key determinants of biomechanical resilience in podocytes. This biomechanical resilience is essential for the physiological function of podocytes, including the formation and maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier. Podocytes integrate diverse biomechanical stimuli from their environment and adapt their biophysical properties accordingly. However, perturbations in biomechanical cues or the underlying podocyte mechanobiology can lead to glomerular dysfunction with severe clinical consequences, including proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis. As our mechanistic understanding of podocyte mechanobiology and its role in the pathogenesis of glomerular disease increases, new targets for podocyte-specific therapeutics will emerge. Treating glomerular diseases by targeting podocyte mechanobiology might improve therapeutic precision and efficacy, with potential to reduce the burden of chronic kidney disease on individuals and health-care systems alike.

足细胞形成肾小球滤过屏障的支柱，并在个体的一生中暴露于各种机械力。肾小球毛细血管的高度动态的生物力学环境极大地影响足细胞的细胞生物学及其病理生理学。在过去的二十年中，足细胞细胞生物学的整体图景已经出现，强调机械生物学信号通路、细胞骨架动力学和细胞粘附是足细胞生物力学弹性的关键决定因素。这种生物力学弹性对于足细胞的生理功能至关重要，包括肾小球滤过屏障的形成和维持。足细胞整合来自环境的多种生物力学刺激，并相应地调整其生物物理特性。然而，生物力学线索或潜在足细胞力学生物学的扰动可能导致肾小球功能障碍，并产生严重的临床后果，包括蛋白尿和肾小球硬化。随着我们对足细胞力学生物学及其在肾小球疾病发病机制中的作用的认识不断加深，足细胞特异性治疗的新靶标将会出现。通过针对足细胞力学生物学来治疗肾小球疾病可能会提高治疗精度和疗效，并有可能减轻慢性肾病给个人和医疗保健系统带来的负担。