Finally, the accumulation of α-SMA+ myofibroblasts, deposition of collagen IV and expression of pro-fibrotic factors (CTGF, TGF-β1) were not different between WT and Par2-/- UUO mice.
Furthermore, the manifestations of α-SMA and Fibronectin significantly increased, and the manifestation of E-cadherin considerably decreased in kidney tissues from the group of Nrf2<sup>-/-</sup> + UUO, compared to the WT + UUO group.
A series of experiments showed the EGFR mimotope immunization could ameliorate renal fibrosis, reduce the expressions of fibronectin, α-SMA and collagen I and alleviate the infiltrations of F4/80+ macrophages in UUO model.
The abnormal expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins including vimentin, α-SMA and β-catenin was also significantly decreased in rats with transplantation of TUG891-programmed macrophages as compared to UUO rats.
The prominent accumulation of α-SMA+ myofibroblasts and interstitial collagen deposition seen in WT UUO was significantly reduced in CypD<sup>-/-</sup> UUO on day 12, but not day 7.
Results showed that the treatment of AKBA significantly alleviated UUO-induced impairment of renal function and improved the renal fibrosis by decreasing the expression of TGF-β1, α-SMA, collagen I and collagen IV in UUO kidneys.
The UUO rats treated with NCTD showed a reduction in obstruction-induced upregulation of α-SMA and downregulation of E-cadherin in the rat kidney (P<0.05).