Cellular and molecular events leading to renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis

摘要

Connective tissue remodeling of the extracelular matrix (ECM) is an essential and dynamic process asso- ciated with both physiological responses, such as wound healing, and pathological conditions, such as renal tubulo- interstitial fibrosis (TIF). Data form the published literature indicate that collagens and several non-collagenous ECM glycoproteins actively contribute to TIF. The early phase of TIF is usually associated with an inflammatory process me- Diated by soluble factors released by activated resident cells And by infiltrating cells.