The multifunctional role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta s on mammary epithelial cell biology.
The transforming growth factor-beta s are potent growth inhibitors of normal and transformed breast epithelial cells in culture. In vivo, these peptides modulate the development of the mouse mammary gland. Tissue-specific overexpression of mature TGF-beta 1 in transgenic mice results in mammary gland atrophy and prevention of carcinogen-induced breast tumorigenesis. However, the inhibitory effect of endogenous or exogenous TGF-beta s on established tumor cells is less clear. Several published circumstantial and more direct data argue that, in some cases, the tumor cell TGF-beta s may contribute to the maintenance and/or progression of tumor cells in an intact host by modulating their interaction with host factors. This differential role of the TGF-beta s on mammary cells as determined by their normal or transformed phenotype as well as the biological and clinical implications of these data are discussed.
Arteaga
C L
CL
Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
Dugger
T C
TC
Hurd
S D
SD
D000818:Animals; D001940:Breast / Q000166:cytology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002455:Cell Division; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta