肾病蛋白(Nephrin)对于"肾小球滤过屏障"(renal filtration barrier)的适当运作是必需要的蛋白质。"肾小球滤过屏障"由"窗孔内皮细胞"(fenestrated endothelial cell)、肾小球基底膜(GBM)，以及"上皮细胞"(epithelial cell)之足细胞所组成。肾病蛋白是一种跨膜蛋白，它是滤过裂隙的一个结构部件。

在肾病蛋白、NPHS1、基因中的缺陷，与芬兰型先天性肾病综合征(congenital nephrotic syndrome)有所相关联，并且导致蛋白质大量被泄漏到尿，或蛋白尿里。而"心血管"(cardiovascular)的发展需要肾病蛋白。

Nephrin is a protein necessary for the proper functioning of the renal filtration barrier. The renal filtration barrier consists of fenestrated endothelial cells, the glomerular basement membrane, and the podocytes of epithelial cells. Nephrin is a transmembrane protein that is a structural component of the slit diaphragm. They are present on the tips of the podocytes and maintain the normal relationship between the basement membrane and the podocytes of the epithelial cells.