SAT-116 A CELL LINE DERIVED FROM RENAL ERYTHROPOIETIN-PRODUCING CELLS PROVES THEIR MYOFIBROBLAST-TRANSFORMATION PROPERTY

Abstract

The erythroid growth factor erythropoietin (Epo) is produced by renal interstitial fibroblasts, (renal Epo-producing [REP] cells) to maintain systemic oxygen supply via erythrocytes. Epo production in REP cells is regulated at the gene transcription level in a hypoxia-inducible manner via stabilization and activation of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor 2α (HIF2α). In chronic kidney disease (CKD), REP cells lose their Epo-production ability, reading to renal anemia. Concurrently, REP cells are suggested to be transformed into myofibroblasts, which are the major player of renal fibrosis.