CCL2 and renal fibrosis: IS also induced expression of TGF-β (Figure 2(c): 2.8-fold for mRNA and 2-fold for protein expression vs. untreated cells; p < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively), a potent mediator in renal fibrosis, and MCP1, one of the inflammatory cytokines involved in tubular-interstitial injury (3-fold for mRNA and 1.5-fold for protein expression vs. untreated cells, p < 0.05) (Figure 2(d)).