Activin receptor IIA ligand trap in chronic kidney disease: 1 drug to prevent 2 complications-or even more?

Massy, Ziad A; Drueke, Tilman B · Kidney Int · 2016

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

Vascular calcification and kidney fibrosis are 2 important features of chronic kidney disease. Bone morphogenetic proteins/growth differentiation factors and their receptors are implicated in the pathogenesis of both processes. Modulation of the bone morphogenetic protein/growth differentiation factor pathways by a soluble chimeric protein that contains the activin receptor IIA (ActRIIA) domain and acts as an ActRIIA ligand trap for activin and other ligands could become a new therapeutic strategy for vascular calcification and kidney fibrosis in chronic kidney disease.

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