Relaxin and its role in the development and treatment of fibrosis.
Relaxin, which is a peptide hormone of the insulin superfamily, is involved in the promotion of extracellular matrix remodeling. This property is responsible for many well-known reproductive functions of relaxin. Recent important findings, including the identification of the relaxin receptor and the development of the relaxin-null mouse, have identified new targets and mechanisms for relaxin's actions, which resulted in unprecedented advances in the field. Relaxin has emerged as a natural suppressor of age-related fibrosis in many tissues, which include the skin, lung, kidney, and heart. Furthermore, relaxin has shown efficacy in the prevention and treatment of a variety of models of experimentally induced fibrosis. The intention of this review is to present a summary of recent advances in relaxin research, with a focus on areas of potential translational research on fibrosis in nonreproductive organs.
Bennett
Robert G
RG
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebr., USA. rgbennet@unmc.edu
D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012065:Relaxin / Q000502:physiology*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D012065:Relaxin