Increased Smoothened signaling promotes kidney fibrosis through inhibiting autophagy in fibroblasts

Key Points

• The study aims to elucidate how smoothened signaling affects myofibroblast activation and kidney fibrosis.
• Characterization of smoothened signaling pathways in fibroblasts
• Assessment of autophagy levels
• Analysis of myofibroblast activation markers
• In vitro modeling of kidney fibrosis
• Increased smoothened signaling correlates with reduced autophagy in fibroblasts
• Enhanced myofibroblast activation observed with smoothened activation
• Potential target of fibroblast Smo identified for chronic kidney disease treatment