Systems biomedicine approach to diabetic nephropathy: role of coagulation protease-activated protein C

Previous studies suggested that the serine protease activated protein C (aPC) can prevent progression of diabetic nephropathy. In an animal model of diabetic nephropathy nephroprotection was associated with inhibition of glomerular apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. The mechanism how the extracellular protease aPC prevents glomerular apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction remains unknown, but in other disease models aPC has been linked with altered gene-expression. Since recent studies suggested the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy, we performed…