Sphingosine kinase-1: A potential mediator of renal fibrosis

Abstract

Renal fibrosis contributes to glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial damage in chronic kidney disease. A well-established pathway implicated in the progression of fibrosis is the induction of connective tissue growth factor by transforming growth factor-Β, resulting in the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. Ren and colleagues demonstrate that sphingosine kinase-1 is involved in the regulation of this pathway in the glomerulus. This raises the possibility of targeting sphingosine kinase-1 to prevent fibrosis in chronic kidney disease patients. © 2009 International Society of Nephrology.