Fibrosis in the kidney: Is a problem shared a problem halved?

Abstract

Fibrotic disorders are commonplace, take many forms and can be life-threatening. No better example of this exists than the progressive fibrosis that accompanies all chronic renal disease. Renal fibrosis is a direct consequence of the kidney's limited capacity to regenerate after injury. Renal scarring results in a progressive loss of renal function, ultimately leading to end-stage renal failure and a requirement for dialysis or kidney transplantation.Although it manifests itself histologically as an increase in extracellular matrix, we know that the histological appearance can be caused by a de novo synthesis of matrix (primarily collagen), or a disproportionate loss of renal parenchyma. In ..