Integrins in kidney disease

A Pozzi, R Zent - Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2013 - journals.lww.com
A major hallmark of chronic kidney injury is fibrosis, which is characterized by increased
accumulation of extracellular matrix components that replace the damaged tissue. Normally,
the synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix components are finely regulated;
however, when matrix replacement goes unchecked, there is unwanted and irreversible
tissue scarring with consequent organ damage, organ failure, and, in certain cases, death.
Many factors, including cell-matrix interactions, play a role in the development of renal …