Sieber, JonasJehle, Andreas Werner2014-12-022014Sieber, Jonas, and Andreas Werner Jehle. 2014. “Free Fatty Acids and Their Metabolism Affect Function and Survival of Podocytes.” Frontiers in Endocrinology 5 (1): 186. doi:10.3389/fendo.2014.00186. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2014.00186.1664-2392http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:13454833Podocyte injury and loss critically contribute to the pathogenesis of proteinuric kidney diseases including diabetic nephropathy. Deregulated lipid metabolism with disturbed free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism is a characteristic of metabolically unhealthy obesity and type 2 diabetes and likely contributes to end-stage kidney disease irrespective of the underlying kidney disease. In the current review, we summarize recent findings related to FFAs and altered renal FFA metabolism with a special focus on podocytes. We will outline the opposing effects of saturated and monounsaturated FFAs and a particular emphasis will be given to the underlying molecular mechanisms involving insulin resistance and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis. Finally, recent data suggesting a critical role of renal FFA metabolism to adapt to an altered lipid environment will be discussed.en-USReview Articlepodocytediabetic nephropathysaturated and monounsaturated free fatty acidslipid metabolismlipotoxicityendoplasmic reticulum stressβ-oxidationJournal Article2014-12-0210.3389/fendo.2014.00186