title: Fibrogenesis. V. TGF-beta signaling pathways.
abstract: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is a multifunctional peptide growth factor with a wide range of potential effects on growth, differentiation, extracellular matrix deposition, and the immune response. General TGF-beta signaling pathways have been described in detail over the last several years, but factors that determine the nature of the TGF-beta response are poorly understood. In particular, signaling pathways that specifically mediate the matrix effects of TGF-beta have received little attention, although they will be important therapeutic targets in the treatment of pathological fibrosis. This themes article focuses on TGF-beta signaling and highlights potential points for generating matrix-specific responses.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Internal Medicine and Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8019, USA. rebecca.wells@yale.edu
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Wells
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta