lncRNA Erbb4-IR is induced by TGF-β1 through a Smad3-dependent mechanism and binds to the 3ʹ-UTR of Smad7 to inhibit the negative effect of Smad7 on TGF-β/Smad pathway, thus promoting the development of renal fibrosis.160. Here, SMAD7 is linked to renal fibrosis.