From bench to bedside: lessons learned from translational podocyte research.

Polat et al. report that mice with a podocyte-specific expression of a constitutively active Rac1 form displayed similar injury and albuminuria, regardless of transient receptor potential canonical 5 activity. This article confirms the pathogenic role of deregulated Rac1 and challenges models involving the role of transient receptor potential canonical 5 in podocytes. We learned from this study and propose a roadmap for this controversial field to help new drug candidates succeed in clinical trials and safely reach patients.