| First Author | Sugimoto H | Year | 2012 |
| Journal | Nat Med | Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 396-404 |
| PubMed ID | 22306733 | Mgi Jnum | J:181483 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5311507 | Doi | 10.1038/nm.2629 |
| Citation | Sugimoto H, et al. (2012) Activin-like kinase 3 is important for kidney regeneration and reversal of fibrosis. Nat Med 18(3):396-404 |
| abstractText | Molecules associated with the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, such as bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and TGF-beta, are key regulators of inflammation, apoptosis and cellular transitions. Here we show that the BMP receptor activin-like kinase 3 (Alk3) is elevated early in diseased kidneys after injury. We also found that its deletion in the tubular epithelium leads to enhanced TGF-beta1-Smad family member 3 (Smad3) signaling, epithelial damage and fibrosis, suggesting a protective role for Alk3-mediated signaling in the kidney. A structure-function analysis of the BMP-Alk3-BMP receptor, type 2 (BMPR2) ligand-receptor complex, along with synthetic organic chemistry, led us to construct a library of small peptide agonists of BMP signaling that function through the Alk3 receptor. One such peptide agonist, THR-123, suppressed inflammation, apoptosis and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition program and reversed established fibrosis in five mouse models of acute and chronic renal injury. THR-123 acts specifically through Alk3 signaling, as mice with a targeted deletion for Alk3 in their tubular epithelium did not respond to therapy with THR-123. Combining THR-123 and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril had an additive therapeutic benefit in controlling renal fibrosis. Our studies show that BMP signaling agonists constitute a new line of therapeutic agents with potential utility in the clinic to induce regeneration, repair and reverse established fibrosis. |
