ACTA2 and chronic kidney disease: Genes encoding extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins collagen (Col1a1, Col3a1) and fibronectin (Fn1), myofibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin (Acta2), as well as regulators of the ECM deposition process such as E-cadherin, Mmp2, Mmp3, Mmp14, Timp1, are shown to be upregulated early in CKD development at day 7 and continue to exhibit high levels of expression through all time points.