What are the causes of primary Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis?
There are likely several causes of primary FSGS. Research has focused on possible immune defects, such as T-cell dysregulation, and the presence of a circulating permeability factor, such as cardiotrophin-like cytokine 1, that induces changes in the glomerular filtration barrier with resultant proteinuria.
Genetic and gene expression studies have identified structural abnormalities in the podocyte cytoskeleton and slit diaphragms, as well as signaling and inflammatory pathways that contribute to the cause of FSGS.