Abstract:

Fibrosis is a common result of chronic injury in many organs. Studies have revealed that epithelial to mesenchymal transition might be the underlying mechanism of fibrotic disorder. Transforming growth factor-β1 has been suggested to induce epithelial to mesenchymal transition and promote organ fibrosis. In contrast, bone morphogenetic protein-7 can block the effect of transforming growth factor-β and induce mesenchymal to epithelial transition which may be helpful to improve organ fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanism of anti-fibrotic effect of bone morphogenetic protein-7 remains unclear. Further studies are of great significance and may provide new therapeutic strategies for organ fibrosis.

Key words: bone morphogenic protein-7, organ fibrosis, mesenchymal to epithelial transition, epithelial to mesenchymal transition