Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 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

Altered expression of Smad proteins in T or NK-cell lymphomas

Jai Hyang Go1

  • 1Department of Pathology, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. jaihyang@yahoo.co.kr

Cancer Research and Treatment
|August 19, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Smad3 and Smad4 proteins are expressed in lymphoid tissues and T-cell lymphomas. Loss of Smad4 expression may be linked to T-cell lymphoma development, suggesting TGF-beta signaling is active in these cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Smad proteins are key mediators of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling.
  • Smads 2 and 3 transmit TGF-beta signals, with Smad4 acting as a common mediator.
  • Expression patterns of Smads in lymphoid tissues are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression patterns of Smad3 and Smad4 in reactive lymphoid tissue and T- or NK-cell lymphomas.
  • To determine the role of Smad-mediated TGF-beta signaling in lymphoid malignancies.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used to detect Smad3 and Smad4 expression.
  • Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 26 T- or NK-cell lymphomas were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Smad3 was highly expressed in germinal centers and paracortical cells of reactive lymphoid tissue.
  • Smad4 showed diffuse cytoplasmic and nuclear positivity in germinal centers and was present in over 50% of paracortical cells.
  • While Smad3 expression was preserved in lymphomas, decreased Smad4 expression was observed in 15% of cases, with some lymphomas showing complete Smad4 negativity.

Conclusions:

  • TGF-beta-specific Smads are involved in signal transduction within lymphoid organs.
  • Smad-mediated TGF-beta signaling pathways are active in malignant lymphomas.
  • Loss of Smad4 expression may correlate with the development of certain T-cell lymphomas.
Keywords:
EtiologyLymphomaSmad proteinsT lymphocytes

More Related Videos

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro10:36

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro

Published on: January 9, 2018

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter11:32

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter

Published on: March 27, 2020

Related Concept Videos

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...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs01:15

Receptor Downregulation in MVBs

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that  lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR  stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive  EGFR activation may...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...