EGFR Signaling Promotes TGFβ-Dependent Renal Fibrosis

The mechanisms by which angiotensin II (Ang II) promotes renal fibrosis remain incompletely understood. Ang II both stimulates TGF beta signaling and activates the EGF receptor (EGFR), but the relative contribution of these pathways to renal fibrogenesis is unknown. Using a murine model with EGFR-deficient proximal tubules, we demonstrate that upstream activation of EGFR-dependent ERK signaling is critical for mediating sustained TGF beta expression in renal fibrosis. Persistent activation of the Ang II receptor stimulated ROS-dependent phosphorylation of Src, leading to sustained EGFR-dependent signaling for TGF beta expression. Either genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of EGFR significantly decreased TGF beta-mediated fibrogenesis. We conclude that TGF beta-mediated tissue fibrosis relies on a persistent feed-forward mechanism of EGFR/ERK activation through an unexpected signaling pathway, highlighting EGFR as a potential therapeutic target for modulating tissue fibrogenesis.