The epidermal growth factor receptor axis and kidney fibrosis

Purpose of review The aim of this study was to summarize recent findings about the role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in acute kidney injury and in progression of chronic kidney injury. Recent findings There is increasing evidence that EGFR activation occurs as a response to either ischemic or toxic kidney injury and EGFR signalling plays an important role in recovery of epithelial integrity. However, with incomplete recovery or in conditions predisposing to progressive glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury, aberrant persistent EGFR signalling is a causal mediator of progressive fibrotic injury. New studies have implicated activation of HIPPO/YAP signalling as a component of EGFR's actions in the kidney. There is also new evidence for sex disparities in kidney EGFR expression and activation after injury, with a male predominance that is mediated by androgens. Summary There is increasing evidence for an important role for EGFR signalling in mediation of kidney injury, raising the possibility that interruption of the signalling cascade could limit progression of development of progressive kidney fibrosis.