Transforming growth factor-β 2 (TGF-β 2 ) is an approximately 25 kDa polypeptide encoded by a unique gene located on chromosome 1q41 [1]. This dimeric peptide is ubiquitously distributed in human tissues and synthesized by many different human cells. It has been detected in tear fluid, in the vitreous, and in aqueous humor [2-4]. TGF-β 2 is known to play an important role in wound healing and t...

TGF-β signaling is a therapeutic target in advanced cancers. We identified tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) as a key component mediating pro-oncogenic TGF-β-induced SMAD and non-SMAD signaling. Upon TGF-β stimulation, TRAF4 is recruited to the active TGF-β receptor complex, where it antagonizes E3 ligase SMURF2 and facilitates the recruitment of deubiquitinase USP15 to...

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the expression changes of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related molecules induced by TGF-β signaling in a human corneal epithelial cell line (HCECs). METHODS The cellular response to TGF-β was evaluated by immunoblotting, quantitative real-time RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence microscopy in HCECs. RESULTS TGF-β significantly increased...

Atherosclerosis is accelerated in the setting of diabetes, but the factors driving this phenomenon remain elusive. Hyperglycemia leads to elevated levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and TGF-β has been implicated as a factor in atherosclerosis. Given the established association between hyperglycemia and elevated TGF-β, it is plausible that elevated TGF-β levels in diabetes play a patho...

TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) and BMP-7 (bone morphogenetic protein-7), two key members in the TGF-β superfamily, play important but diverse roles in CKDs (chronic kidney diseases). Both TGF-β and BMP-7 share similar downstream Smad signalling pathways, but counter-regulate each other to maintain the balance of their biological activities. During renal injury in CKDs, this balance is sig...

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a central molecule maintaining the malignant phenotype of glioblastoma. Anti-TGF-β strategies are currently being explored in early clinical trials. Yet, there is little contemporary data on the differential expression of TGF-β isoforms at the mRNA and protein level or TGF-β/Smad pathway activity in glioblastomas in vivo.Here we studied 64 newly diagnosed a...

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a multifunctional cytokine regulating several immunologic processes, is expressed by virtually all cells as a biologically inactive molecule termed latent TGF-β (LTGF-β). We have previously shown that TGF-β activity increases during influenza virus infection in mice and suggested that the neuraminidase (NA) protein mediates this activation. In the curren...

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is an intriguing cytokine exhibiting dual activities in malignant disease. It is an important mediator of cancer invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis, on the one hand, while it exhibits anti-tumor functions on the other hand. Elucidating the precise role of TGF-β in malignant development and progression requires a better understanding of the molecular mecha...

INTRODUCTION: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a ubiquitous multifunctional cytokine that modulates the growth, differentiation, and proliferation of most cell types. In cartilage, TGF-β has been shown to directly influence DNA and protein synthesis [1,2]. Additionally, TGF-β is believed to be present in synovial fluid [3,4] as well as released by chondrocytes as an autocrine regulato...

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is central during the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, in which the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) also has an established role. TGF-β is also known to be the strongest inducer of PAI-1. To investigate the link between PAI-1 and TGF-β in fibrotic processes, we evaluated the effect of SK-216, a PAI-1-specific inhibitor, in TGF-β-dependent epithe...