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REVIEW article

Front. Pharmacol.
Sec. Renal Pharmacology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1403227

Advances in the study of key cells and signaling pathways in renal fibrosis and the interventional role of Chinese medicines

Provisionally accepted
Enlai Dai Enlai Dai *LiangLijuan Liang LiangLijuan Liang Shihan Zhou Shihan Zhou Aojian Yang Aojian Yang Chaoyu Wei Chaoyu Wei
  • Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Renal fibrosis (RF) is a pathological process characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), which triggers a repair cascade in response to stimuli and pathogenic factors, leading to the activation of molecular signaling pathways involved in fibrosis. This article discusses the key cells, molecules, and signaling pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of RF, with a particular focus on tubular epithelial cells(TECs), cellular senescence, ferroptosis, autophagy, epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β )/Smad signaling. These factors are critical in driving the core and regulatory pathways that significantly influence RF. A comprehensive understanding of their roles is essential.Additionally, through a literature review, we explore recent advancements in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) aimed at reducing RF and inhibiting chronic kidney disease (CKD). We summarize, analyze, and elaborate on the important role of Chinese herbs in RF, aiming to provide new directions for their application in prevention and treatment, as well as scientific guidance for clinical practices.

    Keywords: renal fibrosis, Chronic Kidney Disease, Pathogenesis, Signaling Pathways, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Treatment

    Received: 19 Mar 2024; Accepted: 21 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Dai, Liang, Zhou, Yang and Wei. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Enlai Dai, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.