Crosstalk between transforming growth factor-β1 and endoplasmic reticulum stress regulates alpha-smooth muscle cell actin expression in podocytes

TGF-β1 increases α-SMA (a biomarker of epithelial-mesenchymal transition) expression and induces and ER stress response through Smad2/3 pathway in podocytes. The ER stress-induced by TGF-β1 further promotes α-SMA expression.99