SCUBE1, a novel developmental gene involved in renal regeneration and repair.

Background: We have identified that a novel developmental gene and protein, SCUBE1, is expressed in endothelial cells and may play an important role in kidney regeneration.

Methods: The temporal and spatial expression of SCUBE1 was determined in a mouse model of ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury at 3 days and 1, 3 and 6 weeks post-injury by immunofluorescence microscopy. In vitro analysis was used to examine SCUBE1 signalling in endothelial cells under conditions of cell stress using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence labelling.

Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and transforming growth factor-beta1/Smad signaling pathways modulates the development of fibrosis in adriamycin-induced nephropathy.

Inflammation and fibrogenesis are the two determinants of the progression of renal fibrosis, the common pathway leading to end-stage renal disease. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1/Smad signaling pathways play critical roles in inflammation and fibrogenesis, respectively. The present study examined the beneficial renoprotective effect of combination therapy using the p38 MAPK pathway inhibitor (SB203580) and a TGF-beta receptor I (ALK5) inhibitor (ALK5I) in a mouse model of adriamycin (ADR) nephrosis.