Analogs of vitamin D attenuate renal injury in several models of kidney disease, but the
mechanism underlying this renoprotective effect is unknown. To address the role of the
vitamin D receptor (VDR) in renal fibrogenesis, we subjected VDR-null mice to unilateral
ureteral obstruction for 7 days. Compared with wild-type mice, VDR-null mice developed
more severe renal damage in the obstructed kidney, with marked tubular atrophy and
interstitial fibrosis. Significant induction of extracellular matrix proteins (fibronectin and …