It has been shown that transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) is a potent mediator in renal
fibrosis and that Smad proteins are critical intracellular mediators in TGF-β signaling. It is
here reported that TGF-β mediates renal fibrogenesis in tubular epithelial cells (TEC) in
association with the activation of Smad2 and that overexpression of Smad7 blocks this
fibrotic process. Using a normal rat kidney tubular epithelial cell line (NRK52E), it was
determined that TGF-β1 induces Smad2 phosphorylation and nuclear localization in both a …