Relaxin-2 activates RXFP1, which stimulates NO/cGMP/PKG1 signaling. Activation of the relaxin-RXFP1 axis subsequently leads to the inhibition of pERK1/2 and pSmad2/3, which ultimately suppresses TGFβ-induced fibrosis.
PKG1 – cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1, sGC – soluble guanylyl cyclase, cGMP – cyclic guanosine monophosphate, ERK – extracellular-signal regulated kinase, GMP – guanosine monophosphate, NOS – nitric oxide synthase, PDE5 – phosphodiesterase 5, RXFP1 – relaxin family peptide receptor 1, Smad – small mothers against decapentaplegic protein, TGFβ – transforming growth factor-β