Nephronectin expression in nephrotoxic acute tubular necrosis

Background. Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is characterized by an initiation phase, followed by an extension phase, and a maintenance and recovery phase, the latter of which involves increased regeneration of tubular cells. Nephronectin (NPNT), a ligand for α8β1 integrin, is expressed in the ureteric bud epithelium during kidney morphogenesis. However, little is known about the potential involvement of NPNT in the regeneration phase of ATN.