Figure 7. Schematic diagram showing possible involvement of Ankrd1-Egr1 axis and a subset of profibrotic factors as igniters of cardiac fibrosis.

Along with other key profibrogenic factors, Ankrd1-Egr1 axis may play a pivotal role in initiation of cardiac-selective fibrosis; and kidney is protected from PAI-1 deficiency-induced fibrogenesis due to lack of these profibrotic regulators. Antifibrotic Klotho may also protect kidney from fibrogenesis.