TGF-β Sustains Tumor Progression Through Biochemical and Mechanical Signal Transduction

Overview

Journal Cancers (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Oncology

Date 2018 Jun 16

PMID 29903994

Citations 25

Authors

Robert L Furler

Douglas F Nixon

Christine A Brantner

Anastas Popratiloff

Christel H Uittenbogaart

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling transduces immunosuppressive biochemical and mechanical signals in the tumor microenvironment. In addition to canonical SMAD transcription factor signaling, TGF-β can promote tumor growth and survival by inhibiting proinflammatory signaling and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. In this article, we review how TGF-β activated kinase 1 (TAK1) activation lies at the intersection of proinflammatory signaling by immune receptors and anti-inflammatory signaling by TGF-β receptors. Additionally, we discuss the role of TGF-β in the mechanobiology of cancer. Understanding how TGF-β dampens proinflammatory responses and induces pro-survival mechanical signals throughout cancer development is critical for designing therapeutics that inhibit tumor progression while bolstering the immune response.

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