Researchers have found that signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)6 is aberrantly activated in renal cysts of mouse models of polycystic kidney disease (PKD). STAT6 is usually inactive, but activation of this protein induces a positive feedback loop involving cytokine signaling, which leads to continuous cell proliferation and cyst growth. Genetic inactivation of STAT6 and treatment with teriflunomide in vivo inhibited cyst growth and improved renal function, indicating that STAT6 might be a potential new drug target in PKD.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Olsan, E. E. et al. Signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT6) inhibition suppresses renal cyst growth in polycystic kidney disease. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 108, 18067–18072 (2011)
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STAT6—a potential new drug target for treatment of PKD. Nat Rev Nephrol 8, 2 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneph.2011.180
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneph.2011.180
