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The goal of the present study was to evaluate the role of endoglin, a transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) accessory receptor, in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. This was achieved by testing a model of tubulo-interstitial fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction in endoglin heterozygous (Eng^+/−) mice. Northern and Western blot analysis revealed that endoglin expression in kidneys of these mice was significantly reduced compared with Eng^+/+ littermates. Pronounced interstitial fibrosis induced by ureteral obstruction was confirmed histologically by Masson’s trichromic staining and by increased immunostaining for fibronectin and laminin without significant differences between Eng^+/− and Eng^+/+ mice. Ureteral obstruction induced significant increases in α2(I) and α1(IV) collagen, fibronectin, and TGF-β1 mRNA levels, as well as in total kidney collagen but changes were similar in Eng^+/− and Eng …