Podocytes (glomerular visceral epithelial cells) are highly specialized cells that are found in
the renal glomerulus and make up a major portion of the filtration barrier between the blood
and urinary spaces. Recently, the identification of a number of genes responsible for both
autosomal dominant and recessive forms of human nephrotic syndrome has provided
insight into a number of molecules responsible for unique features of the podocyte such as
the slit diaphragms. Despite these major advances in our understanding of podocyte …