TGF-β Family Signaling in Stem Cells
August 2012
in “
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects
”
TGF-β transforming growth factor-beta stem cells embryonic stem cells induced pluripotent stem cells somatic stem cells cancer stem cells pluripotency differentiation proliferation self-renewal microenvironment epithelial-mesenchymal transition EMT therapeutic strategies molecular mechanisms target genes TGF-beta iPS cells
TLDR TGF-β signaling is crucial for stem cell maintenance, differentiation, and has implications for cancer treatment.
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.
