Developmentally, podocytes evolve from co-lumnar epithelial cells linked together by an
apical junction complex containing both tight junctions (TJs) and adherent junctions. As
epithelial cells develop into podocytes, the apical TJs and adherent junctions migrate
basally and ultimately morph into a single slit diaphragm (SD) that links foot processes from
adjacent podocytes. 1 Mature podocytes develop spindle-like foot processes, reorganize
their actin cytoskeleton, and express vimentin and synaptopodin. A mature SD retains …