Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Spheroid Assay to Measure TGF-β-induced Invasion
09:18

Spheroid Assay to Measure TGF-β-induced Invasion

Published on: November 16, 2011

21.9K

Heterogeneous response to TGF-β1/3 isoforms in fibroblasts of different origins: implications for wound healing and

Lukáš Urban1,2, Matúš Čoma1,2, Lukáš Lacina3,4,5

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 040 11, Košice, Slovak Republic.

Histochemistry and Cell Biology
|September 14, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) isomers differentially regulate fibroblast behavior. TGF-β3 shows potential for scar treatment by inhibiting fibroblast activity, unlike TGF-β1.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Therapeutic target identification for fibrotic diseases and cancer is challenging.
  • Fibroblast heterogeneity complicates understanding of disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 effects on myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix deposition.
  • Analyze responses in normal, cancer-associated, and scar-derived fibroblasts.

Main Methods:

  • Compared fibroblast phenotypes and signaling pathway activation.
  • Utilized TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 treatments.
  • Analyzed canonical (pSMAD2/3) and non-canonical (AKT, ERK, ROCK) pathways.

Main Results:

  • Observed significant heterogeneity in fibroblast responses to TGF-β isomers.
  • TGF-β1 generally showed more potent signaling activation than TGF-β3.
  • TGF-β3 exhibited inhibitory effects on scar-derived fibroblasts, suggesting therapeutic potential.

Conclusions:

  • Fibroblast responses to TGF-β isomers are highly dependent on cell origin and treatment type.
  • TGF-β signaling heterogeneity impacts fibrotic diseases and cancer.
  • TGF-β3 warrants further investigation for clinical applications in scar treatment.
Keywords:
CarcinomaHypertrophic scarKeloidMelanomaStromaTumor microenvironment

More Related Videos

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells06:54

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

Published on: October 27, 2020

13.1K
Murine Dermal Fibroblast Isolation by FACS06:04

Murine Dermal Fibroblast Isolation by FACS

Published on: January 7, 2016

21.2K

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...
7.4K
Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
3.1K
Phases of Wound Repair01:28

Phases of Wound Repair

Following injury, the integrity of the injured tissues must be reestablished. For example, in skin tissue, wound repair involves coordination among resident skin cells, blood mononuclear cells, extracellular matrix, growth factors, and cytokines to complete the healing cascade.
Formation of Blood Clot
In case of deep injuries, trauma to blood vessels results in blood loss. In the meantime, phospholipids released from the ruptured endothelial cellular membrane are converted into arachidonic...
6.1K
The Extracellular Matrix01:29

The Extracellular Matrix

Overview
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
9.1K
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...
6.7K
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
2.7K