In Japan, the number of patients with kidney diseases is increasing due to the westernization of lifestyles and aging societies. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for the development of end-stage kidney disease and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. More than 1 in 8, or 13.3 million people are estimated to have CKD in Japan. Therefore, CKD is recognized as a novel national disease.
Kidney fibrosis is a final common pathway for almost all kidney diseases, and its progression is correlated with impaired renal function. Although inhibiting kidney fibrosis could be a potential therapeutic approach to halt the progression of CKD, no specific therapeutic strategies are available for kidney fibrosis. In addition, the molecular mechanisms by which kidney fibrosis progresses are poorly understood.
We have found some novel regulators of kidney fibrosis (Yamamoto et al., FASEB J. 2021, Miyake et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2021). In this presentation, we will discuss our findings on the involvement of transcription factor old astrocyte specifically induced substance (OASIS) in kidney fibrosis. Specifically, OASIS in myofibroblasts facilitates kidney fibrosis, at least partially through increased bone marrow stromal antigen 2. I hope the findings will contribute to the development of novel therapies against CKD.