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AIM: To explore the role of TGF-?_1 and signaling transduction molecule, Smad4, in the development of glomerulosclerosis. METHODS: Expression levels of TGF-?_1, Smad4, collagen Ⅰ proteins were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in renal biopsies from 38 cases with a spectrum of glomerulonephritis, and compared with 20 normal kidney tissue with image analysis system. After stimulation with TGF-?_1, expressions of endogenous Smad4 and collagen Ⅰ mRNA and proteins and its modulation by TGF?_1 were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blotting analyses in cultured human mesangial cells. RESULTS: All types of proliferative and sclerotized glomerulonephritis showed an increased expression of TGF-?_1, Smad4 and collagen Ⅰ ompared with the 20 normal kidney tissue in glomerular (P
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0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum Cys C is significantly increased in ARF and correlated well with the severity of ARF. Serum Cys C can be one of the detectable markers of ARF, but it is independent of the mortality and does not predict the prognosis of these patients.