Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Molecular Analysis of Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling
Published on: August 3, 2018
Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT): an active process in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
1School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Locked Bag - 1322, Newnham Drive, Launceston, TAS, 7248, Australia. sssohal@utas.edu.au.
Small airway fibrosis in COPD may involve epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). This process, linked to blood vessel changes (EndMT), could also connect to airway cancer development in COPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Small airway fibrosis significantly impairs lung function in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
- Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a proposed mechanism driving small airway fibrosis.
- EMT-Type-3, associated with angiogenesis, may link COPD to airway epithelial cancers.
Discussion:
- A recent study found elevated S100A4 expression in the vasculature of human and murine COPD lungs.
- This suggests Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT) might be active in COPD.
- EndMT could be a crucial factor in COPD pathogenesis and associated complications.
Key Insights:
- COPD is characterized by small airway fibrosis, impacting lung function.
- EMT and EndMT are potential cellular mechanisms underlying COPD.
- Increased S100A4 in COPD vasculature points to active EndMT.
Outlook:
- Further research into EndMT in COPD is warranted.
- Understanding EndMT may reveal new therapeutic targets for COPD and associated cancers.
- Investigating the role of S100A4 in COPD pathogenesis is crucial.
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07:05TGF-β-mediated Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition EndMT and the Functional Assessment of EndMT Effectors using CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing
Published on: February 26, 2021
06:02Development of an In Vitro Assay to Evaluate Contractile Function of Mesenchymal Cells that Underwent Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: June 10, 2016
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