[Growth factors. Role in the progression of renal lesions].
FROM PATHOPHYSIOLOGY TO THERAPEUTICS: Nephrologists are faced with the continuing problem of helping patients avoid the onset or retard the development of end-stage renal failure. Despite the treatments available, the risk is still high for patients and the cost a heavy burden for the public health budget. These facts underline the importance of a detailed understanding of the mechanisms leading to the destruction of renal parenchyma in order to develop therapeutic strategies capable of slowing the inevitable progression of kidney lesions. GROWTH FACTORS: It is currently recognized that a major reduction in the number of functional nephrons, whatever the initial cause, leads in itself to a progressive deterioration of healthy nephrons and finally to complete destruction of the kidney. The underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. One possible mechanism would involve an overexpression of several growth factors in the damaged renal parenchyma. We present in this review experimental data obtained with various approaches, including pharmacological and/or dietetic modulations and the establishment of transgenic mouse lines, to demonstrate the key role played by growth factors in the progression of renal lesions. The pathways followed by these growth factors in the process of renal destruction as well as certain elements leading to their overexpression are also discussed.
Terzi
F
F
INSERM U426, Faculté Xavier Bichat, Paris. terzi@cochin.inserm.fr
Burtin
M
M
Essig
M
M
Friedlander
G
G
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009399:Nephrons / Q000473:pathology
D006133:Growth Substances