TGF-beta1-promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation and cell adhesion contribute to TGF-beta1-enhanced cell migration in SMMC-7721 cells.

Transforming growth factor-b1 (TGF-beta1), a multi-function polypeptide, is a double-edged sword in cancer. For some tumor cells, TGF-beta1 is a potent growth inhibitor and apoptosis inducer. More commonly, TGF-beta1 loses its growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects, but stimulates the metastatic capacity of tumor cells.