Antifibrotic properties of relaxin: In vivo mechanism of action in experimental renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy and in vivo mechanism of action of the antifibrotic hormone, relaxin, in a mouse model of unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO). Kidney fibrosis was assessed in recombinant humangene-2 relaxin-treated animals maintained for 3 and 9d after UUO. Results were compared with untreated and unoperated animals (d 0). Total collagen, collagen subtypes (I, IV), TGF-β2 production, mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (Smad2) phosphorylation, myofibroblast differentiation, mitosis, and apoptosis were all progressively increased by UUO (all P < 0.05 vs. d 0 group at d 3 and d 9), whereas TGF-β1 production was increased and vascular endothelial growth factor expressio..