title: Growth factors and pathogenesis.
abstract: Growth factors are relatively small and stable, secreted or membrane-bound polypeptide ligands, which play an important role in proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, survival, inflammation, and tissue repair, or fibrosis. They exert multiple effects through the activation of signal transduction pathways by binding to their receptors on the surface of target cells. A number of studies have demonstrated the central role of growth factors and their signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyomas. Numerous differentially expressed growth factors have been identified in leiomyoma and myometrial cells. These growth factors can activate multiple signaling pathways (Smad 2/3, ERK 1/2, PI3K, and β-catenin) and regulate major cellular processes, including inflammation, proliferation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis which are linked to uterine leiomyoma development and growth. In this chapter, we discuss the role of growth factors and their signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy; Biotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md Soriful
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Milijana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janjusevic
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciavattini
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano Raffaele
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Giannubilo
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Assunta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Adderio
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biagini
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosamaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fiorini
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy. Electronic address: m.castellucci@univpm.it.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castellucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy. Electronic address: p.ciarmela@univpm.it.
authors.forename: Pasquapina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ciarmela
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
keywords: TGF-β; VEGF; activin-A; growth factors; uterine fibroid; uterine leiomyoma