腎炎進行における細胞外基質レセプター, インテグリンの役割とその機能制御法

Sustained mesangial cell-mediated abnormal mesangial extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is the central biologic feature of progressive glomerulonephritis (GN) leading to glomerular sclerosis. Therefore, elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in pathological mesangial remodeling is essential to understand the pathogenesis of progressive glomerular sclerosis. Accumulating evidences indicate that β1 integrin family regulate physiological and pathological ECM remodeling (fibrosis) in various organs. This overview will focus on our recent understanding of pathophysiological role of β1 integrin family in the progression of GN. Finally, we discuss the strategies targeting the integrin-mediated signaling pathway that permit the development of new therapeutic methods for inhibition of pathological ECM remodeling in GN.