Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 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

TGF-beta signaling, tumor microenvironment and tumor progression: the butterfly effect

Amit Joshi1, Deliang Cao

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. 913 N. Rutledge Street, Springfield, IL 62702, USA.

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)
|December 29, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling initially suppresses tumors but later promotes cancer progression. Its dual role in tumorigenesis and tumor microenvironment interactions necessitates careful consideration for targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a key signaling molecule regulating epithelial cell functions.
  • TGF-beta signaling pathways are implicated in both the initiation and progression of cancer.
  • The tumor microenvironment significantly influences cancer development and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the multifaceted roles of TGF-beta signaling in cancer initiation and progression.
  • To explore the interplay between TGF-beta, tumor cells, and the tumor microenvironment.
  • To understand the implications of TGF-beta's dual role for therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of TGF-beta signaling pathways, including receptor kinases and Smad effectors.
  • Investigation of TGF-beta's effects on epithelial cell processes like migration and invasion.
  • Examination of TGF-beta's interactions with various cell types within the tumor microenvironment.

Main Results:

  • TGF-beta acts as a tumor suppressor in early stages but promotes tumor progression in later stages.
  • TGF-beta signaling enhances cancer cell migration, invasion, and survival.
  • Elevated TGF-beta in the tumor microenvironment correlates with adverse disease progression and poor patient prognosis.

Conclusions:

  • TGF-beta exhibits a context-dependent, dual role in tumorigenesis, acting as both a suppressor and promoter.
  • TGF-beta influences tumor progression through direct effects on tumor cells and indirect modulation of the tumor microenvironment.
  • The complex and diverse actions of TGF-beta signaling warrant caution in developing TGF-beta-targeted cancer prevention and therapeutic strategies.

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

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication09:52

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication

Published on: September 20, 2016

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
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...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
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...