For many years, investigators have been searching for an elusive circulating factor that could cause the common kidney disease focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The finding that a circulating, soluble form of the urokinase receptor (suPAR) can activate podocyte β3 integrin, leading to FSGS pathology (pages 952–960), provides new insights into this disease and may have important clinical implications.
- Stuart J Shankland
- Martin R Pollak