COL4A3 and Alport syndrome: Mouse models of Alport Syndrome and models with either podocyte-specific deletion or inducible overexpression of Smpdl3b were generated to assess renal function using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry imaging and atomic force microscopy.<h4>Results</h4>We found a three-fold increase in SMPDL3b expression in glomeruli, tubules and murine podocytes isolated from Col4a3 knockout mice.