Review

Novel Aspects of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Ken-ichi Tsuchida, Brian Cronin, Kumar Sharma

Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division, Dorrance Hamilton Laboratories, Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Nephron 2002;92:7-21 (DOI: 10.1159/000064486)

  Abstract

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Over the past 10 years, it has been established that the multifunctional cytokine, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-) plays a critical role in the development of diabetic kidney disease. Among the myriad of growth factors and cytokines described, TGF- was recognized early on as a likely candidate to mediate the renal manifestations of diabetes [1, 2]. Diabetic kidney disease is characterized in its early stages by hyperfiltration, glomerular hypertrophy, and tubular hypertrophy. In the chronic stage, there is glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening, microalbuminuria, and diffuse mesangial matrix expansion [3, 4]. In the progressive stage of diabetic nephropathy as clinically identified by a decline in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and increase in albuminuria, there is a further increase in mesangial matrix expansion, hyalinization of the arterioles, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy [3, 4]. Recently, it has been recognized that a reduction in podocyte number, but not mesangial or glomerular endothelial cell numbers, is noted with progressive diabetic nephropathy [5, 6].

Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Kumar Sharma, MD
Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine
Thomas Jefferson University, Suite 353, JAH 1020 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107 (USA)
Tel. +1 215 503 6950, Fax +1 215 923 7212, E-Mail kumar.sharma@mail.tju.edu

  Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 15
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 184