Short-term depletion of TRF1 led to a substantial increase in the number of interstitial fibroblasts/myofibroblasts, although it was not sufficient to induce fibrosis, suggesting that the time frame may have been insufficient for significant collagen deposition to occur, revealing the initial stages of kidney disease that eventually contribute to fibrosis, and potentially leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the future. Here, TERF1 is linked to chronic kidney disease.