Scientists found that the function of the SOX9 protein was impaired in people with scarring on their kidneys. A study that could help create a drug to reverse organ scarring has been published in the journal Science.
The kidneys are responsible for removing waste from the blood. They are often damaged by diabetes, hypertension, infections, and the use of antibiotics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications. In a new study, biologists examined kidney damage in laboratory mice. They found that damaged cells activate the SOX9 protein to repair themselves. It is then normally disabled. However, in non-renewable cells, SOX9 remains active. This leads to the kidney tissue being replaced by scar tissue and reducing its ability to filter blood.
Researchers observed the same process in patients from Switzerland and Belgium. Kidney scarring was greater in patients with impaired SOX9 deactivation and the filtration capacity of the kidney was lower.
Scientists found a way to disable SOX9 and showed in animals that it reversed kidney scarring. Their discovery could lead to the development of a treatment for kidney scars, which are currently incurable.
Previous scientists to create A new cause of age-related diseases.