EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX, GROWTH-FACTORS AND THEIR INTERACTIONS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF DIABETIC KIDNEY-DISEASE

The accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the glomerulus i s the ultrastructural hallmark of diabetic nephropathy and is directly linked to the declining renal function. The pathogenesis of these ECM changes in diabetes is not well understood but is likely to involve i nteraction between cells, growth factors, structural proteins and cell receptors for these molecules. Recent advances in cellular and molecu lar biology have highlighted the complex nature of the molecular inter actions which may lead to glomerulosclerosis in diabetes.