1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits renal interstitial myofibroblast activation by inducing hepatocyte growth factor expression

These observations suggest that vitamin D analogue possesses renoprotective activity through suppression of the matrix-producing myofibroblast activation. This action of vitamin D is mediated, at least in part, by up-regulating antifibrotic HGF gene expression in renal interstitial fibroblasts.