Although mature podocytes lack TJs and form SDs between opposing foot processes (FPs), several claudins (CLDNs), which are the TJ-specific integral membrane protein, such as CLDN3 in nephrin (NPHS1) knockout mice4 and CLDN1 in animals with diabetic nephropathy (DN)5, have been detected in podocytes of adult mouse kidneys. This evidence concerns the gene NPHS1 and liver dysplastic nodule.