Because circulating suPAR levels are elevated in FSGS patients, associate with decreased SMPDL3b expression, and suPAR-dependent αVβ3 integrin activation in podocytes (78, 99, 101, 102), whereas cyclodextrin protects podoctyes from injury in DKD where SMPDL3b expression is increased in podocytes (78, 103), we investigated if SMPDL3b expression modulates the podocyte injury phenotype in these two kidney diseases. Here, SMPDL3B is linked to diabetic kidney disease.