Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a key role in the tissue remodeling processes involved in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), with the biological functions of secreted TGF-β1 regulated by multiple proteins. Among these regulators, latency-associated peptide and latent TGF-β-binding protein inhibit TGF-β1 function, whereas different proteases and integrins activate it. Progress in understanding the factors responsible for the bioactivity and expression of TGF-β1 has revealed that the dysregulation of TGF-β1 activation and expression is closely associated with the chronic respiratory inflammatory diseases involved in CRS. This review of the regulation of TGF-β1 activation and expression provides insight into the mechanism responsible for the different CRS subtypes, which will help further the investigation of novel therapy targets for the treatment of CRS.
Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.