Mechanical stretch induces podocyte hypertrophy in vitro1

Mechanical stretch induces hypertrophy in podocytes in vitro in all phases of the cell cycle. This effect is cell cycle dependent, and requires p21, Erk1/2, and Akt. Stretch may play a role in podocyte injury when intraglomerular pressure is increased. See Editorial by Kriz and Endlich, p. 373.