VASP and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: It was recently reported that proteases present in nephrotic plasma obtained from patients with FSGS can activate PAR1, leading to the podocin-dependent phosphorylation of the actin-associated protein vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) in human podocytes and increased cell migration, suggesting a novel role for proteases and PARs in the pathogenesis of FSGS41,42.