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Control of connective tissue gene expression by TGFβ: Role of smad proteins in fibrosis

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Abstract

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) plays a critical role in the development of tissue fibrosis. Its expression is consistently elevated in affected organs and correlates with increased extracellular matrix deposition. During the last few years, tremendous progress has been made in understanding the molecular aspects of intracellular signaling downstream of the TGFβ receptors. In particular, Smad proteins—TGFβ receptor kinase substrates that translocate into the cell nucleus to act as transcription factors—have been studied extensively. Their role in the modulation of extracellular matrix gene expression is discussed in this review.

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  1. INSERM U532, Institut de Recherche sur la Peau, Pavillon Bazin, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 1, avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010, Paris, France

    Franck Verrecchia PhD & Alain Mauviel PhD

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  1. Franck Verrecchia PhD
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  2. Alain Mauviel PhD
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Verrecchia, F., Mauviel, A. Control of connective tissue gene expression by TGFβ: Role of smad proteins in fibrosis. Curr Rheumatol Rep 4, 143–149 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-002-0010-4

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