ROS-ERK Pathway as Dual Mediators of Cellular Injury and Autophagy-Associated Adaptive Response in Urinary Protein-Irritated Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

Figure 5

Schematic representation of the mechanisms of ROS-ERK pathway in urinary protein-induced injury in TECs. Urinary protein-induced ROS production triggers a cascade of phosphorylation reactions in the ERK pathway, which is a common mediator of protective autophagy and injury in TECs. In the early phase, cytoplasm p-ERK induces autophagy-associated adaptive response. Once stimulation is sustained, cytoplasm p-ERK transfers into the nucleus and elicits cell death.