At 12 weeks, ADR-rats showed an increase in collagen type III expression (Fig. 2 first row; P < 0.05), α-SMA positive myofibroblasts (Fig. 2 third row; P < 0.05) and tubulointerstitial fibrosis by PAS staining (Fig. 2 fifth row; P < 0.05) compared to controls, while treatment with FTY720 showed a (non-significant) decrease of the expression of α-SMA positive myofibroblasts and tubulointerstitial fibrosis (PAS score), which can no longer be differentiated from FTY720-treated control rats. This evidence concerns the gene ACTA1 and fibrosis.