TGF-β Family Signaling in Stem Cells

The document from 2013 reviews the critical roles of TGF-β family signaling in the regulation of stem cells, including embryonic, induced pluripotent, somatic, and cancer stem cells. It explains how TGF-β signaling is essential for maintaining pluripotency and controlling the differentiation and proliferation of these cells. The review also discusses the importance of TGF-β in somatic stem cells for self-renewal and differentiation, often influenced by the microenvironment, and its role in cancer stem cells, particularly in processes like epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) which is crucial for acquiring stem cell properties. The document highlights the complexity of TGF-β signaling effects, which vary depending on cell type, microenvironment, and physiological state, and suggests that further research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. It also emphasizes the need for more studies to understand the molecular mechanisms of TGF-β signaling in stem cells and to profile their target genes at a genome-wide level.