Emerging Roles of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2 Related Factor 2 in Podocytopathy: a Review | Insight Medical Publishing

Podocytopathy is characterized as the clinical manifestation of massive proteinuria and the changes in morphology and quantity of podocytes, which is attributed to podocyte injury or dysfunction and subsequently leads to renal failure. Since effective therapeutic strategies are still limited, to find new methods for treatment of this disease is important. Oxidative stress has been found to involve in the initiation and progression of podocytopathy. Additionally, nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-antioxidant-responsive element (ARE) system plays a key role in the cell’s response to oxidative stress. Therefore, activation of Nrf2 seems to be a potentially effective method for the treatment of podocytopathy. In this paper, we will summarize the information available regarding the effect of Nrf2 on podocytopathy, especially through Nrf2/Keap1-ARE pathway.