title: Inhibitors/antagonists of TGF-β system in kidney fibrosis.
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.
authors.forename: Motoko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yanagita
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C525819:BMP7 protein, human; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha