SOX9 and chronic kidney disease: However, many genes, such as SOX9 13, 50-52, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) 53-55, MMP7 30, 56, 57, KIM1 58, 59, and Wnt pathway genes 60-62, also have similar seemingly contradictory effects; that is, they play a role in promoting repair in AKI but also promote fibrosis progression in CKD.