title: β-Catenin and Rho GTPases as downstream targets of TGF-β1 during pulp repair.
abstract: TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor-β1) plays a central role in regulating proliferation, migration and differentiation of dental pulp cells during the repair process after tooth injury. Our previous study showed that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase may act downstream of TGF-β1 signalling to effect the differentiation of dental pulp cells. However, the molecular mechanisms that trigger and regulate the process remain to be elucidated. TGF-β1 interacts with signalling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin and Rho to induce diverse biological effects. TGF-β1 activates β-catenin signalling, increases β-catenin nuclear translocation and interacts with LEF/TCF to regulate gene expression. Morphologic changes in response to TGF-β1 are associated with activation of Rho GTPases, but are abrogated by inhibitors of Rho-associated kinase, a major downstream target of Rho. These results suggest that the Wnt/β-catenin and Rho pathways may mediate the downstream events of TGF-β1 signalling.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Peoples Republic of China.
authors.forename: Mei-Ying
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Feng-Ming
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology / Q000293:injuries* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins