Isoforms of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) are 25 kDa homodimeric polypeptides that signal by binding and bringing together two related, functionally distinct cell surface receptors designated as TbetaR1 and TbetaR2. Here, we report the solution structure of the 13.8 kDa extracellular domain of human TbetaR2 (ecTbetaR2) as calculated from N(N)-H(N), C(alpha)-H(alpha), and C(alpha)-C(...

The responses of articular chondrocytes to physicochemical stimuli are intimately linked to processes that can lead to both degenerative and regenerative processes. Toward understanding this link, we examined the biomechanical behavior of single chondrocytes in response to growth factors (IGF-I and TGF-beta1) and a range of compressive strains. The results indicate that the growth factors alter...

The fibrillins and latent transforming growth factor-beta binding proteins (LTBPs) form a superfamily of structurally-related proteins consisting of calcium-binding epidermal growth factor-like (cbEGF) domains interspersed with 8-cysteine-containing transforming growth factor beta-binding protein-like (TB) and hybrid (hyb) domains. Fibrillins are the major components of the extracellular 10-12 ...

TGF (transforming growth factor)-beta1 is a multifunctional cytokine that influences homoeostatic processes of various tissues. TGF-beta1 expression is inhibited by androgens in the prostate gland, whereas its expression is enhanced by androgens in highly metastatic prostate cancer cells. Here, we examined regulation of human TGF-beta1 promoter activity by androgen in prostate cancer cells. The...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim of this study was to examine the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1, a cytokine shown to amelioriate cardiac ischemia, in a rabbit model of thromboembolic stroke. METHODS An autologous clot embolus was introduced intracranially through the right internal carotid artery in 21 New Zealand White rabbits, with seven in each group receiving either vehicle co...

Background and Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of transforming growth factor-/31, a cytokine shown to amelioriate cardiac ischemia, in a rabbit model of thromboembolic stroke. Methods: An autologous clot embolus was introduced intracranially through the right internal carotid artery in 21 New Zealand White rabbits, with seven in each group receiving either vehicle contr...

Mutations in the gene for the latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 4 (LTBP4) cause autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 1C. To understand the molecular disease mechanisms of this disease, we investigated the impact of LTBP4 loss on transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling. Despite elevated extracellular TGFβ activity, downstream signaling molecules of the TGFβ pathway, ...

The relationship between host organisms and their microbiota has co-evolved towards an inter-dependent network of mutualistic interactions. This interplay is particularly well studied in the gastrointestinal tract, where microbiota and host immune cells can modulate each other directly, as well as indirectly, through the production and release of chemical molecules and signals. In this review, ...

Cataract, already a major cause of visual impairment and blindness, is likely to become an increasing problem as the world population ages. In a previous study, we showed that transforming growth factor-beta (TGFP) induces rat lenses in culture to develop opacities and other changes that have many features of human subcapsular cataracts. Here we show that estrogen protects against cataract. Len...

Recent results support a two-step model for endoderm formation in amphibian embryos, in which endoderm is initially specified by localised maternal factors, including the transcription factor VegT, but is then maintained by extracellular signalling molecules of the transforming growth factor-beta family.