Chronic progressive kidney diseases typically are characterized by loss of differentiated
epithelial cells and activation of mesenchymal cell populations leading to renal fibrosis in
response to a broad range of diverse renal injuries. Recent evidence has indicated that
epithelial microinjury leads to unbalanced epithelial-mesenchymal communication to initiate
the fibrotic response. Transforming growth factors β constitute a large family of cytokines that
control key cellular responses in development and tissue repair. Activation of autocrine and …