Renal fibrosis is the major determinant in progression of kidney disease and results from an inappropriate response to acute
and chronic kidney injury. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is the driving force behind renal fibrosis and has since long
been regarded as the key factor to be targeted in prevention and treatment of renal fibrosis. Despite the impressive results
obtained in experimental renal fibrosis, TGF-β1 blockade has not yet translated into an effective and safe therapeutic in
human patients. Therefore, it remains important to explore the role of additional growth factors which are involved in renal
regeneration and fibrosis. Recently, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-7 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) have both
emerged as novel modulators of profibrotic TGF-β1 activity. The expression of BMP-7 is decreased in various models of renal
disease, while CTGF is strongly upregulated in experimental and human renal fibrosis. In experimental kidney injury, administration
of BMP-7 or inhibition of CTGF have been sufficient to result in striking improvement of renal function and structure. This
review summarizes the current knowledge of BMP-7 and CTGF in the kidney, and discusses their therapeutic potential in renal
fibrosis.
Key words bone morphogenetic protein-7 - connective tissue growth factor - diabetic nephropathy - renal fibrosis - transforming growth factor-β