Besides TGF-β/Smads pathway, TGF-β receptors activate some non-Smad signaling pathways as well, including ERK pathway et al. Studies have demonstrated that ERK is phoshorylated during TGF-β1-induced EMT [30], ERK activity is required for disassembly of adherens junctions and induction of cell motility, and blockade of ERK inhibited key morphological features of EMT in the mammary gland epithelial cells [31], hence the inhibition of phosphorylation of ERK is a potential target for suppressing renal fibrosis. Here, TGFB1 is linked to renal fibrosis.