The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is intracellularly located as a tetramer.

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) plays an important role in Na(+) homeostasis by determining the Na(+) transport rate in so-called end-organs such as the renal collecting duct, distal colon, salivary and sweat gland ducts. ENaC is formed by heteromultimerization of three homologous subunits, termed alpha, beta, and gamma ENaC. The number of subunits and stoichiometry remain a matter of debate.

Interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 act on glomerular visceral epithelial cells.

In minimal change nephrosis (MCN), proteinuria is associated with structural changes of the glomerular visceral epithelial cells (GVEC). The occurrence of MCN has been associated with 2 lymphocyte-dependent conditions. To examine a direct role for type 2 cytokines in GVEC injury, the expression of interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 receptors by GVEC and direct effects of IL-4 and IL-13 on GVEC were studied.