1. Inhibitors/antagonists of TGF-β system in kidney fibrosis.
- Author
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Yanagita, Motoko
- Subjects
- *
RENAL fibrosis , *TRANSFORMING growth factors , *ETIOLOGY of diseases , *DISEASE progression , *ANIMAL models in research , *ANTI-inflammatory agents , *BONE morphogenetic proteins - Abstract
Renal fibrosis is a major hallmark of chronic kidney disease, regardless of the initial causes, and prominent renal fibrosis predicts poor prognosis for renal insufficiency. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β plays a pivotal role in the progression of renal fibrosis, and therapeutic interventions targeting TGF-β have been successful and well tolerated in animal models. However, these interventions might have adverse effects by inducing systemic inflammation due to the strong bifunctional role of TGF-β (pro-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory). This review of the current literature focuses on the inhibitors/antagonists of TGF-β, and discusses possible therapeutic approaches targeting them, describing the effectiveness of orally active bone morphogenetic protein 7 mimetics in reversing established fibrosis. It will conclude with a brief discussion of possible future directions for research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2012
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