Transforming growth factor-beta as a treatment target in renal diseases
Fukuda, N.; Tahira, Y.; Matsuda, H.; Matsumoto, K.
Journal of Nephrology 22(6): 708-715
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 1121-8428 PMID: 19967649 Document Number: 632610
A number of studies have identified transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) as a critical factor in renal diseases such as glomerulosclerosis and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis. TGF-beta stimulates proliferation of mesangial cells, production of extracellular matrix components and induces epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in renal tissue, which plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of renal injury. Thus, TGF-beta is a treatment target in renal diseases. However, progressive renal diseases cannot be cured with present medical technologies. We have developed ribozymes and a novel gene silencer pyrrole-imidazole polyamide targeted to TGF-beta that effectively ameliorate renal injury in hypertensive rats.