Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 deficiency retards diabetic nephropathy

PAI-1 can regulate TGF-β expression by binding to uPAR and activating the extracellular-regulated signal kinase (ERK)/MAPK pathway. Therefore, PAI-1 contributes to diabetic nephropathy by regulating TGF-β and renal ECM production and may be a therapeutic target in diabetic nephropathy.