The mechanisms for "gain-of-function" phenotypes produced by mutant p53s such as enhanced proliferation, resistance to transforming growth factor-beta-mediated growth suppression, and increased tumorigenesis are not known. One theory is that these phenotypes are caused by novel transcriptional regulatory events acquired by mutant p53s. Another explanation is that these effects are a result of a...

Human atheromata obtained in vivo were used to test the hypothesis that transforming growth factor-(31 plays a role in the development of vascular restenosis. We analyzed 28 specimens from patients with primary atherosclerotic or restenotic lesions; 26 of these were obtained by directional atherectomy and 2 at the time of coronary bypass surgery. Seven control tissues included operatively excis...

Excessive contraction of hypertrophic scar and subsequent contracture formation are a formidable problem after thermal injury. A comparison between fibroblasts from hypertrophic scar and normal skin was made with the use of fibroblast-populated collagen lattices as a measure of cellular generated contractile forces. Hypertrophic scar and normal skin fibroblasts were mixed with soluble tendon co...

Natural sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) derived from brown seaweed comprise a complex group of macromolecules with a wide range of important physiological properties. SPs have been shown to bind and directly regulate the bioactivity of growth factors and cytokines such as basic fibroblast growth factor, interferon, various enzymes and transforming growth factor. Myostatin is a member of the tran...

Disequilibrium of dermal wound repair can result in continued accumulation of ECM and excessive scar formation. In susceptible genetically predisposed individuals, keloid formation can be observed. Keloid disease represents a benign dermal fibroproliferative tumor that is unique to humans. TGF-beta is known to play a key role in the pathogenesis of this disease which is still not fully understo...

Transforming growth factor-betas (TGF-betas) are pleiotropic cytokines involved in development and maintenance of the nervous system. In several neural lesion paradigms, TGF-beta1 exerts potent neuroprotective effects. Neurons treated with TGF-beta1 activated the canonical TGF-beta receptor I/activin-like kinase receptor 5 (ALK5) pathway. The transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappa...