Gas6, warfarin, and kidney diseases.

The product of growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6) is a unique vitamin K-dependent autocrine growth factor for mesangial cells, and warfarin inhibits mesangial cell proliferation by interfering with the activation process of Gas6. A recent series of studies has revealed the in vivo roles of Gas6 and its receptor Axl in the progression of acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, chronic allograft rejection, and human kidney diseases. This review summarizes these studies and discusses the possible interventions targeting the Gas6/Axl pathway to prevent the progression of kidney diseases.