EP4: a new piece in the fibrotic puzzle

Most progressive and severe acute kidney diseases lead to renal fibrosis, for which we still lack effective treatment options. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is one of the most abundant prostanoids, exerting its pleiotropic functions via four receptors, EP(1) through EP(4). Recent studies indicate that the PGE(2)-EP(4) pathway is a potent endogenous renoprotective system that limits renal fibrosis by acting on multiple cellular targets.