Fibrosis, regeneration and cancer: what is the link?

摘要

Tubulo-interstitial fibrosis constitutes the final common pathway for all pathological conditions that evolve towards chronic kidney disease, and transforming growth factor-β1 plays a key role in this process. Furthermore, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin appears not only to be a simple marker of renal injury but also an active player in disease progression. We are not yet able to control and modulate this phenomenon. Therefore, a better understanding of fibrogenic molecular mechanisms is necessary to detect possible therapeutic strategies that interfere with fibrosis and then stop the progression of renal disease. The line of research called ‘regenerative medicine’ works toward this.