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Health See other Health Articles Title: New therapy may reverse cell damage from kidney fibrosis By blocking the expression of two genes, researchers were able to reverse the effects of fibrosis. As cells revert to embryonic forms in an attempt at self-protection, kidney cells turn blue as fibrosis spreads through the organ, causing eventual failure. HOUSTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Injured adult cells in the body initiate a process present during embryonic cell development to protect themselves, but this effort at self-preservation often damages organs long-term. Researchers have found a way to reverse the embryonic cellular process called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, or EMT, which they believe can reverse kidney disease. Fibrosis, a "runaway defense mechanism" of the body, produces scars that clog the kidney and destroy its functional tissue until it stops functioning. "Our work shows that damaged kidney cells respond by undergoing EMT to protect themselves from further damage but in the process, develop long-term damage due to fibrosis, a form of chronic wound healing," said Dr. Raghu Kalluri, chair of the cancer biology department at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in a press release. "Each adult kidney cell behaves like an embryonic cell, losing the ability to perform important tasks that keep the organ functional." Working with mice, researchers block the expression of two genes that induce EMT in tubular epithelial cells, or TECs, that are important to the repair and regeneration of kidney tissues. When the two genes were blocked, the cells were able to repair themselves normally instead of reverting to their embryonic form and slowly killing off the organ. "Genetic deletion of these genes in TECs resulted in inhibition of the EMT program," said Dr. Valerie LeBleu, an assistant professor of cancer biology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "This inhibition led to preservation of TEC integrity, restored cell proliferation and other processes, and restored the adult function of these cells." The study is published in Nature Medicine. Like Us on Facebook for more stories from UPI.com Related UPI Stories Study: Yo-yo dieting not linked to cancer Survey helps tell difference in expectable, worrisome behavior in children Regular, moderate coffee consumption good for senior brain health Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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