The protective role of Smad7 in diabetic kidney disease: mechanism and therapeutic potential.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Although Smad3 has been considered as a downstream mediator of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling in diabetes complications, the role of Smad7 in diabetes remains largely unclear. The current study tests the hypothesis that Smad7 may play a protective role and has therapeutic potential for diabetic kidney disease.

Research design and methods

Protective role of Smad7 in diabetic kidney disease was examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice that have Smad7 gene knockout (KO) and in diabetic rats given Smad7 gene transfer using an ultrasound-microbubble-mediated technique.

Results

We found that mice deficient for Smad7 developed more severe diabetic kidney injury than wild-type mice as evidenced by a significant increase in microalbuminuria, r

SUBMITTER: Chen HY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3028360 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature