TGF-β induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the related therapeutic strategy

Renal interstitial fibrosis(RIF) represents the final common pathology pathway of most forms of kidney disease.Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) of tubuloepithelial cells plays an important role in RIF.Although a number of factors may initiate EMT in the kidney,the most potent factor is transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β).That the molecular pathways for TGF-β induced EMT have critical relation with the mechanism of RIF.Such represent a potential therapeutic approach,offering a mechanism to slow or even redress established renal interstitial fibrosis.