The multifaceted role of pirfenidone and its novel targets

José Macías-Barragán, Ana Sandoval-Rodríguez, Jose Navarro-Partida, Juan Armendáriz-Borunda, José Macías-Barragán, Ana Sandoval-Rodríguez, Jose Navarro-Partida, Juan Armendáriz-Borunda

Abstract

Background: Pirfenidone (PFD) is a molecule that exhibits antifibrotic properties in a variety of in vitro and animal models of lung, liver and renal fibrosis. These pathologies share many fibrogenic pathways with an abnormal fibrous wound-healing process; consequently, tissue repair and tissue regeneration-regulating mechanisms are altered.

Objective: To investigate the usefulness of PFD as an antifibrotic agent in clinical and experimental models of fibrotic disease.

Conclusions: There is a growing understanding of the molecular effects of PFD on the wound healing mechanism, leading to novel approaches for the management of fibrosis in lung, liver and renal tissues. Although the optimum treatment for fibrosis remains undefined, it is possible that combined therapeutic regimens that include this wide-application molecule, pirfenidone, could offer a useful treatment for fibrotic disease.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical characteristics of the pirfenidone molecule.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Molecular mechanisms of pirfenidone in the reduction in fibrosis. Green indicates the mechanisms promoted by pirfenidone; red indicates the mechanisms that are inhibited by this drug.

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