Objective To investigate the expression of slit diaphragm proteins of glomerular podocyte,such as NEPH1 and Nephrin in type Ⅴ lupus nephritis (V-LN). Methods Twenty-five patients with V-LN and 18 patients with idiopathic membranous nephritis (IMN) were enrolled into the study, and 5 normal renal samples were the normal control group. Twenty-four hours urine protein excretion, serum albumin, creatinine, triglyceride, total cholesterol, serum C3, C4, urine C3 and NAG were tested respectively.Glomerular lesions were measured by light microscopy. The expressions of NEPH1 and Nephrin were determined by indirect immunofluorescent staining. The statistical treatment was used t-test. Results Compared to the IMN group, the 24 hours urine protein excretion and the concentrations of serum albumin, creatinine, urine C3 were not significantly different while the triglyceride, total cholestorel, serum C3, C4 were significantly decrease in the V-LN group (P<0.05). Urine NAG was increased in the V-LN group (P<0.01). By indirect immuno-fluorescent histochemitry examination, the glomerular expressions of NEPH1 and Nephrin were significantly decreased in both V-LN and IMN. Compared with the IMN group, the decrease of NEPH1 and Nephrin expression was more remarkable in the V-LN group. Conclusion The expression changes of NEPH1 and Nephrin may play an important pathogenic role in proteinuria of Ⅴ lupus nephritis. Renal tubular epithelial cell damage may play a role in proteinuria of V-LN.