The DOI matches its Crossref record; 186 of the 186 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
TGF-β and the Tissue Microenvironment: Relevance in Fibrosis and Cancer
Open accessAbstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a cytokine essential for the induction of the fibrotic response and for the activation of the cancer stroma. Strong evidence suggests that a strong cross-talk exists among TGF-β and the tissue extracellular matrix components. TGF-β is stored in the matrix as part of a large latent complex bound to the latent TGF-β binding protein (LTBP) and matrix binding of latent TGF-β complexes, which is required for an adequate TGF-β function. Once TGF-β is activated, it regulates extracellular matrix remodelling and promotes a fibroblast to myofibroblast transition, which is essential in fibrotic processes. This cytokine also acts on other cell types present in the fibrotic and tumour microenvironment, such as epithelial, endothelial cells or macrophages and it contributes to the cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) phenotype. Furthermore, TGF-β exerts anti-tumour activity by inhibiting the host tumour immunosurveillance. Aim of this review is to update how TGF-β and the tissue microenvironment cooperate to promote the pleiotropic actions that regulate cell responses of different cell types, essential for the development of fibrosis and tumour progression. We discuss recent evidences suggesting the use of TGF-β chemical inhibitors as a new line of defence against fibrotic disorders or cancer.
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1 retracted
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Cited by
Chakravarthy, A., Khan, L., Bensler, N. P., Bose, P., & De Carvalho, D. D. (2018) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-018-06654-8 · Cited by 656
The extracellular matrix in tumor progression and metastasis
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Transforming Growth Factor-β-Induced Cell Plasticity in Liver Fibrosis and Hepatocarcinogenesis
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Self-citationRoles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in anti- PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy for solid cancers
Pei, L., Liu, Y., Liu, L., Gao, S., Gao, X., Feng, Y., Sun, Z., Zhang, Y., & Wang, C. (2023) · Molecular Cancer · doi:10.1186/s12943-023-01731-z · Cited by 257
Extracellular matrix stiffness: Mechanisms in tumor progression and therapeutic potential in cancer
Zhang, M., & Zhang, B. (2025) · Experimental Hematology & Oncology · doi:10.1186/s40164-025-00647-2 · Cited by 269
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Metadata
- Authors
- Caja, L., Dituri, F., Mancarella, S., Caballero-Diaz, D., Moustakas, A., Giannelli, G., & Fabregat, I.
- Venue
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2018-04-26
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1294
- ISSN
- 1422-0067 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2802519389
- Cited by
- 351
- References
- 186
- FWCI
- 10.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
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- Caja, L., Dituri, F., Mancarella, S., Caballero-Diaz, D., Moustakas, A., Giannelli, G., & Fabregat, I. (2018). TGF-β and the Tissue Microenvironment: Relevance in Fibrosis and Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19051294
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