THBS1 and renal fibrosis: SGLT2 inhibitors blocked TGF-β1-induced mRNA expression of thrombospondin 1 (THBS1), tenascin C (TNC), and platelet-derived growth factor subunit B (PDGF-B), which are key mediators of renal fibrosis and kidney disease progression in two human proximal tubular (PT) cell lines25.