Pressure oscillation regulates human mesangial cell growth and collagen synthesis.

Experimental renal disease models establish glomerular hypertension as a crucial determinant in glomerulosclerosis progression and demonstrate that glomerular capillary pressure reduction delays sclerosis development. An oscillating pressure (OP) chamber was constructed as an in vitro model to study human mesangial cells. Cell cultures were grown under atmospheric pressure (AP) and a controlled OP corresponding to intraglomerular capillary pressure.