Cadherin-11 and the mechanobiology of the fibrogenic niche

The authors investigate the role of cadherin-11 in kidney fibrosis, specifically whether it drives the disease process. They demonstrate that blocking cadherin-11, either genetically or with antibodies, can reduce fibrosis, maintain renal function, and prevent the stiffening of the fibrogenic niche across multiple injury models, suggesting that cadherin-11 influences fibroblast activation through its impact on cellular mechanics.