[Transforming growth factor beta in pathogenesis of liver diseases]

Transforming growth factor (TGF-beta) is the protein playing a principal role in the intracellular signalling. The most important function is ability to stimulate synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins, what is responsible for wound formation and tissue reconstruction. The damage of hepatocytes is a signal for macrophages and platelets activation, resulting in release of TGF-beta and over-expression of genes responsible for morphologic and functional changes in Ito cells. They undergo transformation into myofibroblasts and become the source of extracellular matrix proteins, such as: collagens, fibronectin, laminin, entactin, tenascin, undulin. The consequence of their accumulation in the space of Disse and inside hepatic lobuli is fibrosis, which is the form of tissue healing in the place of necrosis. However continuous action of damaging agent leads to massive fibrosis and reconstruction of liver, what is clinically manifested as cirrhosis. The role of transforming growth factor beta in the pathogenesis of liver diseases and its possible use as an indicator of disease progression were discussed in this paper.