Role of transforming growth factor beta in cancer microenvironment

Clin Transl Oncol. 2009 Nov;11(11):715-20. doi: 10.1007/s12094-009-0433-8.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor Beta (TGF-Beta) family members are polypeptidic cytokines with pleiotropic physiological properties. In relation to cancer, TGF-Beta exerts a dual tumour-suppressive and oncogenic effect, which is largely dependent on microenvironment stimuli. After activation of TGF-Beta signalling, two pathways can be activated: the canonical one through the mammalian Smad family or the non-canonical one activating, among others, the cellular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling downstream, which interacts with Smad signalling. During tumorigenesis, cells of many cancer types often lose their response to the tumour-suppressive effects of TGF-Beta, which, in turn, has the opposite effect, acting as an autocrine tumour-promoting factor. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge about this intriguing cytokine, with special emphasis on its immunosuppressive actions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Animals
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Smad Proteins / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Smad Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta