Connective tissue growth factor gene expression and decline in renal function in lupus nephritis.

ABSTRACT: In lupus nephritis (LN), kidney inflammation may be followed by fibrosis and progressive decline in function. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a notable mediator of fibrosis, but it has other beneficial roles, thus indicating a need for alternate therapeutic targets for inhibition of fibrosis. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) acts as a downstream mediator of TGF-β in promoting fibrosis, without mediating the immunosuppressive effects of TGF-β. Animal studies show that CTGF may have important roles in renal fibrosis, but data are limited in human subjects. The present study tested the hypothesis that renal CTGF mRNA expression is related to TGF-β1 and collagen I expression and is predictive of renal function deterioration in patients with LN (n=39). Gene expression was measured u

SUBMITTER: Tachaudomdach C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3438605 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature