SMAD3 and renal fibrosis: miR-29 targets genes encoding collagen types I and IV and MMP-2, among others. Downregulation of miR-29 by TGF-b1/Smad3 is part of the mechanism by which this signalling pathway induces renal fibrosis. In addition, the loss of miR-30 in the course of LV hypertrophy intensifies pro-fibrotic signalling, in part through increases in CTGF levels