Because the alteration of ERK, mTOR, NFkB and MIF signalling found in T lymphocytes of ADPKD patients may contribute to the development of interstitial inflammation promoting cyst growth and kidney failure (ESRD), the targeting of inflammasome proteins could be an intriguing option to delay the progression of ADPKD.
The activation of A<sub>3</sub>AR by the specific agonist Cl-IB-MECA causes a marked reduction of CREB, mTOR, and ERK phosphorylation in kidney tissues of Pkd1 <sup>flox/-</sup>: Ksp-Cre polycystic mice and reduces cell growth in ADPKD cell lines, but not affects the kidney weight.
However, at 10 μg/mL, berberine reduces cell growth in ADPKD cystic cells only enhancing G0/G1 phase of cell cycle and inhibiting ERK and p70-S6 kinases.