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Review
. 2017 Apr 12:6:466.
doi: 10.12688/f1000research.10510.1. eCollection 2017.

Unwinding focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Vasil Peev #  1 , Eunsil Hahm #  1 , Jochen Reiser #  1
Affiliations
Review

Unwinding focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Vasil Peev et al. F1000Res. .

Abstract

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) represents the most common primary glomerular disease responsible for the development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States (US). The disease progresses from podocyte injury to chronic kidney disease (CKD), ultimately leading to total nephron degeneration. Extensive basic science research has been conducted to unwind the mechanisms of FSGS and, with those insights, understand major contributors of CKD in general. As a result, several putative molecules and pathways have been studied, all implicated in the disease; some serve, in addition, as early biomarkers. The ongoing research is currently focusing on understanding how these molecules and pathways can interplay and be utilized as potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Among these molecules, the soluble urokinase plasminogen activating receptor (suPAR) has been studied in detail, both clinically and from a basic science perspective. By now, it has emerged as the earliest and most robust marker of future CKD. Other circulating factors harming podocytes include anti-CD40 auto-antibody and possibly cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor-1. Understanding these factors will aid our efforts to ultimately cure FSGS and possibly treat a larger portion of CKD patients much more effectively.

Keywords: FSGS; focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; nephrotic syndrome; suPAR.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: All authors have equally contributed to the creation of this manuscript. J.R. is inventor on pending and issued patents related to anti-proteinuric therapies. He stands to gain royalties from present and future commercialization. J.R. is also co-founder and advisor to TRISAQ, a biotechnology company. E.H has a pending patent on cells producing suPAR. She stands to gain royalties from future commercialization products concerning this application. V.P. reports no conflicts.No competing interests were disclosed.No competing interests were disclosed.No competing interests were disclosed.

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    2. F1000 Recommendation