Renal fibrosis is a hallmark of end-stage chronic kidney disease. It is characterized by increased accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), which disrupts cellular organization and function within the kidney. Here, we review the bi-directional interactions between cells and the ECM that drive renal fibrosis. We will discuss the cells involved in renal fibrosis, changes that occur in the ECM, the interactions between renal cells and the surrounding fibrotic microenvironment, and signal transduction pathways that are misregulated as fibrosis proceeds. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of cell-ECM crosstalk will identify novel targets to better identify and treat renal fibrosis and associated renal disease.
Keywords: cell signaling pathways; cell–matrix interactions; collagen; epithelial cells; extracellular matrix; fibroblasts; fibronectin; renal fibrosis.