Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and its Role in Renal Fibrogenesis

Abstract

Renal fibrosis in chronic renal failure poses a major challenge with regard to providing specific therapeutic strategies. The current hypothesis of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in renal fibrosis proposes that matrix producing fibroblasts and myofibroblasts generated in the diseased kidney causes fibrosis. This paper explores the pathogenetic mechanisms, the role of EMT in renal fibrogenesis in chronic kidney disease, biomarkers, and EMT related anti-fibrotic therapy.