Cadherin-11 and the mechanobiology of the fibrogenic niche.

Cadherin-11 has been proposed as a biomarker of kidney fibrosis, but whether it drives disease was unclear. Huffstater et al. show that genetic or antibody blockade of cadherin-11 limits fibrosis, preserves renal function, and prevents stiffening of the fibrogenic niche across 3 injury models. The authors argue that cadherin-11 affects fibroblasts, leading to their activation by reinforcing the cell's force-generating machinery.