Blockade of NFκB activation and renal inflammation by ultrasound-mediated gene transfer of Smad7 in rat remnant kidney

TGF-β/Smad7 signaling plays a critical role in the resolution of renal inflammation in rat remnant kidney model. Inhibition of NFκB activation is a key mechanism by which Smad7 suppresses renal inflammation, which suggests a crosstalk pathway between NFκB and Smad7. The ability of Smad7 to inhibit renal inflammation indicates that ultrasound-microbubble-mediated Smad7 gene therapy may represents a new therapeutic strategy for glomerulonephritis.