TGF-β Pathway as a Potential Target in Neurodegeneration and Alzheimers
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of large numbers of forebrain neurons. There are currently no effective AD treatments available and the cause of the disease is unknown in the majority of cases. Because normal neuronal maintenance and survival depends on stimulation of key signaling pathways by a number of neurotrophic factors it has been postulated that reduced signaling by or expression of these factors may promote neurodegeneration. Growing evidence suggests that the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway may be one such neurotrophic pathway that meets important protective and survival roles in neurons. Here I explore this evidence and discuss the pathway as a potential target for the treatment of neurodegeneration and AD.
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In AD brains, activated microglia and astrocytes are present around Aβ plaques, with release of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and transforming growth factor-β.
“it was observed in AD brains the presence of activated microglia and astrocytes around Aβ plaques, with the release of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1 and IL-6, TNF-α and transforming growth factor-β (TNF-β; Wyss-Coray, 2006; Zhou et al., 2012).”
From The impact of microglial activation on blood-brain barrier in brain diseases (2014) · cites this paper as Wyss-Coray, 2006
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- Authors
- Wyss-Coray, T.
- Venue
- Current Alzheimer Research
- Publisher
- Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
- Published
- 2006-07-01
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 191-195
- ISSN
- 1567-2050 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2051240154
- Cited by
- 85
- References
- 60
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 3.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Alzheimer Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- School of Medicine, Stanford University
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center
- National Institute on Aging (AG20603, R01AG020603)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › TGF-β signaling in diseases
- Keywords
- TGF-beta signaling, Alzheimer's disease, neurodegeneration, neurotrophic factors, neuronal survival, therapeutic target, neuroprotection
- MeSH terms
- Alzheimer Disease, Animals, Brain, Disease Models, Animal, Humans, Mice, Transgenic, Nerve Degeneration, Nerve Growth Factors, Neurons, Signal Transduction, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Microglia, Neuroprotective Agents, Mice
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