Inflammation and EMT: an alliance towards organ fibrosis and cancer progression.
Recent advances in our understanding of the molecular pathways that govern the association of inflammation with organ fibrosis and cancer point to the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) as the common link in the progression of these devastating diseases. The EMT is a crucial process in the development of different tissues in the embryo and its reactivation in the adult may be regarded as a physiological attempt to control inflammatory responses and to 'heal' damaged tissue. However, in pathological contexts such as in tumours or during the development of organ fibrosis, this healing response adopts a sinister nature, steering these diseases towards metastasis and organ failure. Importantly, the chronic inflammatory microenvironment common to fibrotic and cancer cells emerges as a decisive factor in the induction of the pathological EMT.
López-Novoa
Jose Miguel
JM
Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Edificio Departamental, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.
Nieto
M Angela
MA
D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D009385:Neoplastic Processes; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000276:immunology
D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1