Regulation of endothelin‐1 and transforming growth factor‐β1 production in cultured proximal tubular cells by albumin and heparan sulphate glycosaminoglycans

Abstract
Background. Both endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) have been implicated in the progression of interstitial fibrosis. In the present study we enquired if albumin influences the production of these factors in cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) and if heparan sulphate glycosaminoglycans (HS‐GAG) can inhibit this production.