← brief for 2026-09-12 · Slowing decline

Targeting ITIH3 inhibits oxidative stress and autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells by regulating the HSP90B1/STAT3 axis, thereby alleviating diabetic nephropathy injury.

Key takeaways

ITIH3 is a blood protein that runs high in people with kidney damage from diabetes. Researchers blocked it in diabetic mice and in kidney tubule cells grown in the lab. Blocking it lowered cell stress and cut back excess cell self-digestion (autophagy), and kidney injury eased. This was in animals and cells, not people yet, and the blood samples only show the protein is linked to the disease.

Who did this work

Deng W · Jiang J · Lin M · Lin W · Chen G · Li Y · Wen J

Source

Article · PubMed, fibrosis reversal · 2026 Sep 12
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42731610/