In particular, this activation promotes a pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cascade involving an increase of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1); plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1); MCP-1; IL-8; fibronectin and collagen expression in damaged renal tissue, indicating a role in fibrosis and, possibly, kidney disease progression. This evidence concerns the gene SERPINE1 and kidney disorder.