title: Novel non-canonical TGF-β signaling networks: emerging roles in airway smooth muscle phenotype and function.
abstract: The airway smooth muscle (ASM) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ASM cells express a wide range of receptors involved in contraction, growth, matrix protein production and the secretion of cytokines and chemokines. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is one of the major players in determining the structural and functional abnormalities of the ASM in asthma and COPD. It is increasingly evident that TGF-β functions as a master switch, controlling a network of intracellular and autocrine signaling loops that effect ASM phenotype and function. In this review, the various elements that participate in non-canonical TGF-β signaling, including MAPK, PI3K, WNT/β-catenin, and Ca(2+), are discussed, focusing on their effect on ASM phenotype and function. In addition, new aspects of ASM biology and their possible association with non-canonical TGF-β signaling will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Manitoba Institute of Child Health, University of Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yeganeh
authors.forename: Subhendu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: Lyn M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Moir
authors.forename: Kuldeep
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumawat
authors.forename: Hessam H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kashani
authors.forename: Rushita A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bagchi
authors.forename: Hoeke A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Baarsma
authors.forename: Reinoud
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gosens
authors.forename: Saeid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghavami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta