Interstitial fibroblasts play a central role in kidney fibrosis. Their origin is debated, with recent
data indicating a contribution of bone marrow (BM)-derived cells to the expanded population
of interstitial cells after kidney damage in animals and humans. This study investigated
whether these BM-derived cells would respond appropriately to a fibrotic drive by producing
collagen. A transgenic mouse that expresses both luciferase and β-galactosidase reporter
molecules under the control of a 17-kb promoter and enhancer element of the gene …