Legumain, an asparaginyl endopeptidase, mediates the effect of M2 macrophages on attenuating renal interstitial fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy

Two distinct macrophage phenotypes contribute to kidney injury and repair during the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis; proinflammatory (M1) and antiinflammatory (M2) macrophages. Legumain, an asparaginyl endopeptidase of the cysteine protease family, is overexpressed in macrophages in some pathological conditions. However, the macrophage subtype and function of macrophage-derived legumain remains unclear. To resolve this we tested whether M2 macrophages contribute to the accumulation of legumain in the unilateral ureteral obstruction model.

Source: Kidney International - April 12, 2018 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Dekun Wang, Min Xiong, Chuan'ai Chen, Lingfang Du, Ze Liu, Yuzhi Shi, Mianzhi Zhang, Junbo Gong, Xiangrong Song, Rong Xiang, Ergang Liu, Xiaoyue Tan Tags: Basic Research Source Type: research