objective(s):we investigated the influence of genetic variation of the transforming growth-factor alpha (tgfa) locus on the relationship between smoking and oral clefts. materials and methods:in this study 105 iranian infants with non-syndromic cleft lip/palate and 218 controls with non-cleft birth defects were examined to test for associations among maternal exposures, genetic markers, and ora...

The transforming growth factor (TGF) beta s are multifunctional polypeptide growth factors with diverse biological effects, including inhibition of epithelial cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. To investigate the possible role of TGF beta 1 in the regulation of papillomavirus infection and papillomavirus-associated transformation, we compared the response to TGF beta 1 of normal kera...

Mutations in the gene for the latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 4 (LTBP4) cause autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 1C. To understand the molecular disease mechanisms of this disease, we investigated the impact of LTBP4 loss on transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling. Despite elevated extracellular TGFβ activity, downstream signaling molecules of the TGFβ pathway, ...

transforming growth factor-beta (tgf-β) is one of the most important cytokines implicated in growth, differentiation, repair and also the pathogenesis of the lung fibrosis by its stimulatory effect on extracellular matrix deposition. pulmonary epithelial cells are considered as a source of tgf-β in lung. substance p (sp), as a neuroimmunomodulator has elevated levels in inflamed airways and alt...

Previous studies have demonstrated that angiotensin II stimulates expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in cultured renal cells. To investigate whether similar mechanisms are operative in vivo, glomerular TGF-beta mRNA expression was investigated in two-kidney, one-clip (2-K 1-C) hypertensive rats. Glomerular TGF-beta1 transcripts were elevated in the clipped kidney 6 d, but ...

Temporomandibular joint disc tissue-engineering studies commonly fail to produce significant matrix before construct contraction. We hypothesized that poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) non-woven meshes would limit contraction, allow for comprehensive mechanical evaluation, and maintain viability relative to polyglycolic acid (PGA) non-woven mesh controls. Additionally, we proposed that growth factor st...

Disequilibrium of dermal wound repair can result in continued accumulation of ECM and excessive scar formation. In susceptible genetically predisposed individuals, keloid formation can be observed. Keloid disease represents a benign dermal fibroproliferative tumor that is unique to humans. TGF-beta is known to play a key role in the pathogenesis of this disease which is still not fully understo...

Connective tissue growth factor (CCN2), a member of the CCN family of proteins, is a cysteine-rich matricellular protein. Connective tissue growth factor is not normally expressed in dermal fibroblasts unless induced. The most potent inducer of connective tissue growth factor thus far identified is transforming growth factor beta. Connective tissue growth factor, however, is constitutively over...