Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) participates in the pathogenesis of multiple cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, restenosis, atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. TGF-beta exerts pleiotropic effects on cardiovascular cells, regulating cell growth, fibrosis and inflammation. TGF-beta has long been believed to be the most important extracellular matrix regulator. We review the complex mechanisms involved in TGF-beta-mediated vascular fibrosis that includes the Smad signaling pathway, activation of protein kinases and crosstalk between these pathways. TGF-beta blockade diminishes fibrosis in experimental models, however better antifibrotic targets are needed for an effective therapy in human fibrotic diseases. A good candidate is connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a downstream mediator of TGF-beta-induced fibrosis. Among the different factors involved in vascular fibrosis, Angiotensin II (AngII) has special interest. AngII can activate the Smad pathway independent of TGF-beta and shares with TGF-beta many intracellular signals implicated in fibrosis. Blockers of AngII have demonstrated beneficial effects on many cardiovascular diseases and are now one of the best options to block TGF-beta fibrotic responses. A better knowledge of the intracellular signals of TGF-beta can provide novel therapeutic approaches for fibrotic diseases.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cardiores.2007.02.008 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The efficacy of fractional CO laser with or without triamcinolone acetonide or 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of early postburn hypertrophic scars.
Lasers Med Sci
January 2025
Plastic Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Hypertrophic scars (HTSs) are the result of an abnormal healing process resulting from burns and other severe traumas. The symptoms of that condition include skin irritation, discomfort, and itching. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide (CO) laser therapy alone or with triamcinolone or 5-fluorouracil (FU) in the treatment of early post-burn hypertrophic scars (HTSs) that develop during the first 6 months after the injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiotoxicity of Chemotherapy: A Multi-OMIC Perspective.
J Xenobiot
January 2025
VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity is a critical issue in cardio-oncology, as cancer treatments often lead to severe cardiovascular complications. Approximately 10% of cancer patients succumb to cardiovascular problems, with lung cancer patients frequently experiencing arrhythmias, cardiac failure, tamponade, and cardiac metastasis. The cardiotoxic effects of anti-cancer treatments manifest at both cellular and tissue levels, causing deformation of cardiomyocytes, leading to contractility issues and fibrosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNutraceutical and low energy shockwave treatments improved sexual function recovery in a rat pelvic neurovascular injury model.
Sex Med
December 2024
Department of Clinical Investigation, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington 98431, United States.
Background: Pelvic trauma can have long-lasting debilitating effects, including severe erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. While there are effective treatments for ED, these treat the symptoms not the cause. Those who suffer from an acute traumatic injury to the neurovascular supply of penis, may benefit from regenerative therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPulmonary embolism: a complication of endoscopic variceal treatment.
BMJ Case Rep
January 2025
Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
Gastric varices (GVs) are dilated veins in the stomach submucosa, typically caused by portal hypertension. A prompt diagnosis is needed, given the significant risk of bleeding and mortality. Endoscopic cyanoacrylate injections are widely adopted for treating GV due to their efficacy in preventing rebleeding with lower complication rates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRibosome Biogenesis, Altered Metabolism and Ribotoxic Stress Response in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Tumor Microenvironment.
Cancer Lett
January 2025
Amity School of Biological Sciences, Amity University Mohali, Punjab, India. Electronic address:
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy with a poor overall survival rate. Cellular stress response pathways promoting cancer cell fitness in harsh tumor microenvironment (TME) play a critical role in cancer growth and survival. The influence of oncogenic Kras, multi-functional heterogeneous cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and immunosuppressive TME on cancer cells makes the disease more complex and difficult to treat.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!