title: A delicate balance: TGF-beta and the tumor microenvironment.
abstract: The activated form of TGF-beta is a known regulator of epithelial cell autonomous tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Recent studies have also indicated that TGF-beta mediates interactions between cancer cells and their local tumor microenvironment. Specifically, the loss of TGF-beta signaling in stromal components including fibroblasts and T-cells can result in an "activated" microenvironment that supports and even initiates transformation of adjacent epithelial cells. TGF-beta signaling in cancer can be regulated through mechanisms involving ligand activation and expression of essential components within the pathway including the receptors and downstream effectors. TGF-beta signaling in the tumor microenvironment significantly impacts carcinoma initiation, progression, and metastasis via epithelial cell autonomous and interdependent stromal-epithelial interactions in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Stover
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bierie
authors.forename: Harold L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Moses
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta