Transforming growth factor beta signal transduction: a potential target for maintenance/restoration of transparency of the cornea.
Maintenance of the transparency and regular shape of the cornea are essential to the normal vision, whereas opacification of the tissue impairs vision. Fibrogenic reaction leading to scarring in an injured cornea is characterized by appearance of myofibroblasts, the key player of the fibrogenic reaction, and excess accumulation of fibrous extracellular matrix. Inflammatory/fibrogenic growth factors/cytokines produced by inflammatory cells play a pivotal role in fibrogenic response. Signaling systems involved in myofibroblast formation and fibrogenesis are activated by various growth factors, i.e., transforming growth factor beta or others. Modulation of transforming growth factor beta signal transduction molecules, e.g., Smad and mitogen-activated protein kinases, by gene transfer and other technology provides a new concept of prevention/treatment of unfavorable fibrogenesis in the cornea.
Saika
Shizuya
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera, Wakayama, Japan. shizuya@wakayamamed.ac.jp
Yamanaka
Osamu
O
Sumioka
Takayoshi
T
Okada
Yuka
Y
Miyamoto
Takeshi
T
Shirai
Kumi
K
Kitano
Ai
A
Tanaka
Sai-ichi
S
D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014945:Wound Healing
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051785:Smad Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases