Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
10:31

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice

Published on: May 2, 2025

Sugar, sex, and TGF-β in diabetic nephropathy

Maggie K Diamond-Stanic1, Young H You, Kumar Sharma

  • 1Center for Renal Translational Medicine, University of California San Diego/Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA 92093-0711, USA.

Seminars in Nephrology
|July 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is key in diabetic kidney disease. This review explores TGF-β

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology and Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology and Signaling Pathways

Background:

  • Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus.
  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling is implicated in DKD pathogenesis.
  • Sex-based differences in DKD prevalence and progression are observed but not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of TGF-β's role in sex-related disparities in DKD.
  • To highlight recent research linking TGF-β signaling to sex-specific effects in DKD.
  • To propose future research directions for investigating TGF-β in sex-based DKD outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on TGF-β signaling in diabetic kidney disease.
  • Analysis of research focusing on sex-related differences in TGF-β action.
  • Synthesis of findings to identify potential therapeutic targets.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests TGF-β signaling pathways are differentially regulated between sexes in DKD.
  • Specific TGF-β targets may mediate sex-specific kidney damage and fibrosis in diabetes.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of sex-related TGF-β effects.

Conclusions:

  • TGF-β plays a significant role in DKD, with potential sex-specific actions.
  • Understanding these sex-related effects could lead to more personalized DKD therapies.
  • Future studies should focus on sex-specific TGF-β inhibition strategies for DKD.

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