Examining the role of metabolism enzymes in renal fibrosis

When the kidney is chronically damaged the functioning tissue is replaced with scar tissue. This scarring can progress to the point that the kidney no longer functions and a kidney transplant or going on to dialysis will be required for the person in order for them to live. We have identified that proteins involved in metabolism may be involved in the scarring process. We wish to understand how these enzymes contribute to the development of scarring. This may lead to the discovery of new pathways which we can target with drugs which can potentially treat kidney scarring and disease.