Is the proximal tubule the focus of tubulointerstitial fibrosis?

Zhi Peng; Hui Wang; Jiaoyun Zheng; Jie Wang; Yang Xiang; Chi Liu; Ming Ji; Huijun Liu; Lang Pan; Xiaoqun Qin; Xiangping Qu

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13508

Is the proximal tubule the focus of tubulointerstitial fibrosis?

Heliyon. 2023 Feb 6;9(2):e13508. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13508. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Authors

Zhi Peng¹, Hui Wang¹, Jiaoyun Zheng², Jie Wang¹, Yang Xiang¹, Chi Liu¹, Ming Ji¹, Huijun Liu¹, Lang Pan¹, Xiaoqun Qin¹, Xiangping Qu¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China.
² Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Abstract

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF), a common end result of almost all progressive chronic kidney diseases (CKD), is also the best predictor of kidney survival. Almost all cells in the kidney are involved in the progression of TIF. Myofibroblasts, the primary producers of extracellular matrix, have previously received a great deal of attention; however, a large body of emerging evidence reveals that proximal tubule (PT) plays a central role in TIF progression. In response to injury, renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) transform into inflammatory and fibroblastic cells, producing various bioactive molecules that drive interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. Here we reviewed the increasing evidence for the key role of the PT in promoting TIF in tubulointerstitial and glomerular injury and discussed the therapeutic targets and carrier systems involving the PT that holds particular promise for treating patients with fibrotic nephropathy.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Extracellular matrix; Proximal tubule; Tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Publication types

Review