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TGF-β/Smad and Renal Fibrosis

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Renal Fibrosis: Mechanisms and Therapies

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1165))

Abstract

Renal fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) that disrupts and replaces functional parenchyma, which leads to organ failure. It is known as the major pathological mechanism of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although CKD has an impact on no less than 10% of the world population, therapeutic options are still limited. Regardless of etiology, elevated TGF-β levels are highly correlated with the activated pro-fibrotic pathways and disease progression. TGF-β, the key driver of renal fibrosis, is involved in a dynamic pathophysiological process that leads to CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It is becoming clear that epigenetics regulates renal programming, and therefore, the development and progression of renal disease. Indeed, recent evidence shows TGF-β1/Smad signaling regulates renal fibrosis via epigenetic-correlated mechanisms. This review focuses on the function of TGF-β/Smads in renal fibrogenesis, and the role of epigenetics as a regulator of pro-fibrotic gene expression.

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Acknowledgements

The laboratory is supported by grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China 81300580 and 81570623), and by Science and Technological Fund of Anhui Province for Outstanding Youth of China (Grant number: 1608085J07)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China

    Tao-Tao Ma & Xiao-Ming Meng

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  1. Tao-Tao Ma
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  2. Xiao-Ming Meng
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Correspondence to Xiao-Ming Meng .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

    Bi-Cheng Liu

  2. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Hui-Yao Lan

  3. Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

    Lin-Li Lv

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Ma, TT., Meng, XM. (2019). TGF-β/Smad and Renal Fibrosis. In: Liu, BC., Lan, HY., Lv, LL. (eds) Renal Fibrosis: Mechanisms and Therapies. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1165. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8871-2_16

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