Dynamic multi-omics and mechanistic modeling approach uncovers novel mechanisms of kidney fibrosis progression

Kidney fibrosis, characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, affects 10% of the population but lacks specific treatments. This study uses a multi-omics approach with human kidney PDGFRβ+ mesenchymal cells to analyze ECM changes. Through network modeling integrating various -omics data with ECM imaging, we tracked biomolecule changes across seven time points after TGF-β stimulation. The analysis revealed temporal patterns in ECM-related markers and modulators. Through validation experiments, we identified transcription factors like FLI1 and E2F1 as negative regulators of collagen deposition, providing insights into ECM regulation in kidney fibrosis progression.