Table 4 The role of matrix structure and composition in regulating mesangial cell behavior. Bm: basement membrane. Elongated cell shape indicates activated phenotype of mesangial cell, while a stellate shape would have indicated quiescent phenotype. Extended cell shape description is an ambiguous descriptor. Diseased matrix is an aligned matrix scaffold, whereas a normal matrix is a nonaligned matrix scaffold

From: Pathophysiology of mesangial expansion in diabetic nephropathy: mesangial structure, glomerular biomechanics, and biochemical signaling and regulation