The role of activin-follistatin system and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) in inflammation and fibrosis of the kidney and liver

Cell death and inflammation are important mechanisms in the development of acute and chronic organ damage. This thesis used drug-based and genetic strategies to examine the role of two proteins, activin A and ASK1, in models of acute and chronic kidney injury. My results indicate a complex role of ASK1 in kidney injury which requires further detailed analysis.