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Identification of the Source of Secreted Proteins in the Kidney by Brefeldin A Injection
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The roles of Tenascin C in kidney diseases

Tim Caspers1, Peter Boor1,2, Barbara Mara Klinkhammer1

  • 1Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.

American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
|December 19, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Tenascin C (TNC) is upregulated in kidney diseases, promoting fibrosis and fibroblast activation. Targeting TNC offers potential for diagnosing and treating kidney conditions like acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Nephrology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Tenascin C (TNC) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein vital for development and repair.
  • TNC expression is low in healthy adult kidneys but increases in kidney diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of TNC's structure, function, and regulation.
  • To explore TNC's role in kidney disease development and progression.
  • To discuss TNC as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in nephrology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of TNC's role in kidney disease.
  • Analysis of TNC's influence on fibroblast activation and fibrogenesis.
  • Examination of TNC's potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target.

Main Results:

  • Elevated TNC levels correlate with kidney disease severity and fibrogenesis.
  • TNC influences fibroblast activation, contributing to kidney damage.
  • TNC is implicated in acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Conclusions:

  • TNC plays a significant role in kidney disease pathogenesis.
  • TNC serves as a potential biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of fibrogenesis.
  • Targeting TNC presents therapeutic opportunities for kidney diseases.
Keywords:
TNCbiomarkerextracellular matrixfibroblast activationfibrosis

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