Progressive interstitial fibrosis accompanied by loss of renal tubules and interstitial
capillaries typifies all progressive renal diseases. Dynamic and complex, the process
evidently overlaps with matrix remodeling; it may even be reversible. The interstitial fibrous
tissue comprises several normal and novel matrix proteins, proteoglycans, and
glycoproteins. Interstitial myofibroblasts are a major site of matrix protein overproduction,
although resident fibroblasts, tubular cells, and inflammatory cells may contribute …