Peritoneal Fibrosis (PF)

Peritoneal fibrosis is one of the most serious complications of peritoneal dialysis, and is characterized by the activation of peritoneal resident cells, induction of pro-fibrotic peptides, accumulation and deposition of excess matrix proteins within the submesothelium, and vasculopathy of the peritoneal microvasculature. Peritoneal fibrosis is a serious complication in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), especially those undergoing long-term peritoneal dialysis therapy. Since the peritoneum is a major site of mast cell accumulation, and since mast cells are known to facilitate the progression of organ fibrosis, they would also contribute to the pathogenesis of peritoneal fibrosis.