SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Nephrol.
Sec. Glomerular disease
Genetic and Environmental Factors Associated with Alteration of Filtration Slit Proteins and Their Functions: A Scoping Review
Provisionally accepted
Aolat Adepeju Adepoju1
Mubarak Abubakar Muhammad1
Mubashir Mayowa Adamson1Shakirudeen Abdulqodri Adewale1Adedeji Tayyib Adekunle1Lekan Sheriff Ojulari1
Abdullateef Isiaka Alagbonsi1,2*- 1University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
- 2College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
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Background: Filtration slit proteins are important for maintaining the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. Genetic mutations and environmental factors can disrupt their structure and functions, leading to proteinuria and kidney diseases. This scoping review aims to synthesize the available information on the genetic and environmental factors that affect the slit proteins to enhance our understanding of the (patho)physiology of glomerular filtration. Methods: Online databases such as Wiley and PubMed were used. Relevant studies were selected focusing on genetic variations, environmental influences, and their impact on filtration slit proteins. Data extraction and synthesis were conducted to highlight key themes and knowledge gaps. Results: We summarized at least 20 proteins and their genes, including nephrin, podocin, phospholipase C Epsilon 1 (PLCE1), CD2-Associated Protein (CD2AP), ITGA 3, synaptopodin, myosin 1E (MYO1E), flotillin-2 (Flot2), podocalyxin, FAT1, Apo Hemoglobin-Haptoglobin (Apo Hb-Hp), spermidine, P-Cadherin, ephrin B1, Zo-1 (Zona Occluden), MAGI 1&2 (MAGUK inverted), Par-complex, IP-10 (interferon-inducible protein), neurexin 1, and liver type fatty acid binding protein. We also reported at least 8 environmental factors, including oxidative stress, inflammation, heavy metals, air-bone pollutants, high-fat diets, vitamins and micronutrient deficiency, mechanical stretch, and nephrotoxic agents. Conclusion: This review highlights various filtration slit proteins and the mechanisms of their alterations by genetic and environmental factors. It contributes to efforts towards personalized therapeutic strategies for disorders of glomerular filtration.
Keywords: environment, Filtration slit protein, Genetics, glomerulus, kidney disease
Received: 02 Aug 2025; Accepted: 07 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Adepoju, Muhammad, Adamson, Adewale, Adekunle, Ojulari and Alagbonsi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Abdullateef Isiaka Alagbonsi, a.i.alagbonsi@ur.ac.rw
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