Role of the activin-follistatin system in the morphogenesis and regeneration of the renal tubules.
Activin A inhibits branching tubulogenesis of the kidney during development. Activin A also inhibits branching tubulogenesis in MDCK cells, an in vitro tubulogenesis model. On the other hand, follistatin, an antagonist of activin A, reverses the effect of activin A and induces branching tubulogenesis. Follistatin also promotes tubular regeneration after ischemia/reperfusion injury. The activin/follistatin system is one of the important regulatory systems modulating developmental and regeneration processes of the kidney.
Kojima
I
I
Institute for Molecular & Cellular Regulation Gunma University, 371-8512, Maebashi, Japan. ikojima@showa.gunma-u.ac.jp
Maeshima
A
A
Zhang
Y Q
YQ
D028341:Activins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D038681:Follistatin; D006801:Humans; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*
D038681:Follistatin; D028341:Activins