BACKGROUND Inflammatory reactions, known to promote tumor growth and invasion, have been found associated with colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Macrophages are the chief component of the inflammatory infiltration that occurs early in the progression from non-invasive to malignant tumor, with a switch from the pro-inflammatory phenotype to the tumor-promoting phenotype. Tumor and stroma are additiona...

In the present study, we aim to understand implications of transforming growth factor β1 secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in resistance cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) cells photodynamic therapy (PDT), as well effects combination PDT with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). is widely used for treatment cSCC, and it involves visible light, molecular oxygen a photoactive compound (p...

The transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1) promotes fibrosis, differentiating epithelial cells and quiescent fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and increasing expression of extracellular matrix. Recent investigations have shown that PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor*) is a negative regulator of fibrotic events induced by TGFβ1. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an immunomodulatory...

Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation on liver injury facilitates fibrosis. Hepatokines affecting HSCs are largely unknown. Here we show that hepcidin inhibits HSC activation and ameliorates liver fibrosis. We observe that hepcidin levels are inversely correlated with exacerbation of fibrosis in patients, and also confirm the relationship in animal models. Adenoviral delivery of hepcidin to mi...

During embryonic development oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are generated first in the ventral forebrain and migrate dorsally to occupy the cortex. The molecular cues that guide this migratory route are currently completely unknown. Here, we show that bone morphogenetic protein-4 (Bmp4), Bmp7, and Tgfβ1 produced by the meninges and pericytes repelled ventral OPCs into the cortex at mous...

Introduction Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic, autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by immune system activation, vasculopathy, and collagen accumulation. Despite progressive fibrosis of the vasculature, compensatory angiogenesis impaired. The cause shift towards anti-angiogenesis observed in SSc unknown. IL-17 cytokine family participates pathogenesis angiogenesis. Material m...

Downregulation of a predominantly hepatocyte-specific miR-122 is associated with human liver cancer metastasis, whereas miR-122-deficient mice display normal liver function. Here we show a functional conservation of miR-122 in the TGFβ pathway: miR-122 target site is present in the mouse but not human TGFβR1, whereas a noncanonical target site is present in the TGFβ1 5'UTR in humans and other p...

The importance of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) in angiogenesis has been highlighted in recent studies, but other roles of this multi-functional enzyme in endothelial cell (EC) function still remains to be fully elucidated. We previously showed that the extracellular TG2 is involved in maintaining tubule formation in ECs by a mechanism involving matrix-bound vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)...

PURPOSE Our study examined the effect of a selective Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, on corneal wound healing and potential stromal scarring after superficial keratectomy. METHODS Rabbit keratocytes were induced into myofibroblasts by transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) either with or without Y-27632. Then α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was examined by immunohistochemistry and western blottin...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Consequences of obstructive nephropathy include tissue fibrosis, a major pathophysiological mechanism contributing to development of end-stage renal disease. Transforming growth factor β 1 (Tgfβ1) is involved in the progression of renal fibrosis. According to recent observations, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) prevented phosphate-induced vascular remodeling, effects involving decreas...