Fig. 2.
Factors involved in the progression of FSGS to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD): initial loss or injury to podocytes (related to defects in membrane proteins or cytoskeleton instability) leads to cytokine release, mechanical stress, hyperfiltration, and glomerular hypertrophy. These factors lead to upregulation of an inflammatory response mediated by monocytes, macrophages, and T-cells. The end result is collagen matrix deposition and fibrosis, and progression to ESKD