TGF-beta and fibrosis in different organs - molecular pathway imprints.
The action of transforming-growth-factor (TGF)-beta following inflammatory responses is characterized by increased production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, as well as mesenchymal cell proliferation, migration, and accumulation. Thus, TGF-beta is important for the induction of fibrosis often associated with chronic phases of inflammatory diseases. This common feature of TGF-related pathologies is observed in many different organs. Therefore, in addition to the description of the common TGF-beta-pathway, this review focuses on TGF-beta-related pathogenetic effects in different pathologies/organs, i. e., arthritis, diabetic nephropathy, colitis/Crohn's disease, radiation-induced fibrosis, and myocarditis (including their similarities and dissimilarities). However, TGF-beta exhibits both exacerbating and ameliorating features, depending on the phase of disease and the site of action. Due to its central role in severe fibrotic diseases, TGF-beta nevertheless remains an attractive therapeutic target, if targeted locally and during the fibrotic phase of disease.
Pohlers
Dirk
D
Experimental Rheumatology Unit, Department of Orthopedics, Waldkrankenhaus Rudolf Elle Eisenberg, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
Brenmoehl
Julia
J
Löffler
Ivonne
I
Müller
Cornelia K
CK
Leipner
Carola
C
Schultze-Mosgau
Stefan
S
Stallmach
Andreas
A
Kinne
Raimund W
RW
Wolf
Gunter
G
D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta