Abnormal ER-Golgi vesicular trafficking leads to podocyte detachment.

Podocyte detachment represents a point of no return in the progression of proteinuric kidney diseases, yet the molecular mechanisms driving this process remain poorly understood. In this issue of Kidney International, Imai et al. report that suppression of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor, a key regulator of endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi vesicular trafficking, contributes to impaired integrin maturation and podocyte detachment. These findings establish, for the first time, a critical role for endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi vesicular trafficking in maintaining podocyte integrity.