Analysis of aspartyl and cysteine cathepsins expression in mouse obstructive nephropathy showed an increase in CtsD and B but not L. Pharmacological inhibition of CtsD but not CtsB led to a reduction of kidney fibrosis in two different models of CKD, unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO) and chronic ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). This evidence concerns the gene CTSD and chronic kidney disease.