Open AccessOrgan-Specific Collagen Expression: Implications for Renal Disease
Author(s) -
Catherine Alexakis,
Patrick H. Maxwell,
George BouGharios
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
nephron. experimental nephrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1660-2129
DOI - 10.1159/000089684
Subject(s) - extracellular matrix , kidney , kidney disease , fibrosis , disease , transgene , microbiology and biotechnology , renal function , biology , pathology , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry , gene
Chronic kidney disease is characterized by progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix and scarring, leading to the loss of kidney function. Excess deposition of the collagen family of proteins is the hallmark of kidney fibrosis. In this review, we survey the collagens that are associated with renal disease and we highlight the use of a transgenic approach to identify cis-acting sequences in the collagen type I promoter which are capable of directing collagen type I expression specifically in the kidney. Ultimately it may be possible to use this approach to halt the accumulation of collagen selectively in this organ.