Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
06:54

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

Mouse models of transforming growth factor beta impact in breast development and cancer

R Serra1, M R Crowley

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294-0005, USA. rserra@uab.edu

Endocrine-Related Cancer
|December 3, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) plays a dual role in breast cancer, acting as a tumor suppressor early on but promoting metastasis later. Targeting TGF-beta signaling may offer a new therapeutic strategy for advanced breast cancer.

Area of Science:

  • * Molecular biology
  • * Developmental biology
  • * Cancer research

Background:

  • * Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is crucial for normal breast development and progression of breast cancer.
  • * Genetically engineered mouse models are vital tools for studying TGF-beta's mechanisms in mammary gland development and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To elucidate the multifaceted role of TGF-beta in normal mammary gland development.
  • * To investigate the complex, stage-dependent effects of TGF-beta on breast cancer progression.
  • * To explore the therapeutic potential of TGF-beta signaling antagonism in late-stage breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • * Utilization of genetically engineered mouse models to study TGF-beta signaling pathways.
  • * Analysis of TGF-beta's impact on various stages of mammary gland development (e.g., morphogenesis, differentiation, involution).
  • * Examination of TGF-beta's biphasic effects on tumor suppression, invasion, and metastasis in preclinical models.

Main Results:

  • * TGF-beta regulates key processes in normal mammary gland development, including branching morphogenesis and cell-lineage decisions.
  • * In breast cancer, TGF-beta acts as a tumor suppressor in early stages but promotes invasion and metastasis in later stages.
  • * TGF-beta signaling influences the tumor microenvironment, contributing to disease progression.

Conclusions:

  • * TGF-beta exhibits context-dependent roles in breast development and cancer, highlighting its complexity.
  • * Antagonism of TGF-beta signaling presents a promising therapeutic avenue for late-stage breast cancer, potentially inhibiting metastasis.
  • * Future research using genetically modified mice will advance understanding and treatment strategies for human breast diseases.

More Related Videos

Spheroid Assay to Measure TGF-β-induced Invasion09:18

Spheroid Assay to Measure TGF-β-induced Invasion

Published on: November 16, 2011

Orthotopic Transplantation of Breast Tumors as Preclinical Models for Breast Cancer07:45

Orthotopic Transplantation of Breast Tumors as Preclinical Models for Breast Cancer

Published on: May 18, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Mouse Models of Cancer Study02:43

Mouse Models of Cancer Study

Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
Mouse Models of Cancer Study02:43

Mouse Models of Cancer Study

Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...