TGFB1 and nephritis: TGF-β1, the most abundant TGF-β family member isoform, is a pleiotropic cytokine that has been established as a central mediator of kidney inflammation and fibrosis; TGF-β1 is involved in inflammatory responses associated with the NF-κB pathway and binds to latent TGF-β-binding protein (LTBP) and initiates downstream signals50.