These cells are phagocytic and secrete the amorphous basement membrane-like material known as the mesangial matrix.

Immune complexes deposit in the mesangium, with a slight increase in the mesangial matrix and cellularity.

The hyaline is an amorphous material, pink, homogeneous, resulting from combination of plasma proteins, increased mesangial matrix and collagen.

It is characterized by glomerular basement membrane thickening (referred to as tram-tracking of the basement membrane), increased mesangial matrix and segmental and global glomerulosclerosis.

Large AGE proteins unable to enter the Bowman's capsule are capable of binding to receptors on endothelial and mesangial cells and to the mesangial matrix.

Likewise, C-peptide administration in animals that had C-peptide deficiency (type 1 model) with nephropathy improves renal function and structure; it decreases urinary albumin excretion and prevents or decreases diabetes-induced glomerular changes secondary to mesangial matrix expansion.

Activation of RAGE induces production of a variety of cytokines, including TNFβ, which mediates an inhibition of metalloproteinase and increases production of mesangial matrix, leading to glomerulosclerosis and decreasing kidney function in patients with unusually high AGE levels.