[Tubulo-interstitial fibrosis: an emerging major health problem]

The incidence of chronic kidney disease leading to end-stage renal disease has significantly increased and may reach epidemic proportions over the next decade. Regardless of the initial insult, the progression of most forms of renal disease results in tubulo-interstitial fibrosis. This has been closely correlated to the future appearance of renal failure and has therefore been associated with poor long-term prognosis. New molecules and agents to limit the development of tubulo-interstitial fibrosis and slow down the progression towards end-stage renal disease are needed. In the past twenty years, many efforts have been made to understand the mechanisms of tubulo-intersititial fibrosis with the final goal to develop new therapeutic strategies. In this context, this review will focus on the mechanisms and factors involved in the development and the progression of renal fibrosis and will discuss the new promising therapeutic strategies in animal and humans.