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...

AIM To analyse patterns of gene expression for peptide regulatory factors in patients with Dupuytren's contracture. METHODS Tissue samples (palmer fascia) from 12 patients with Dupuytren's contracture and 12 controls were studied using the reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) technique. RESULTS Tissue from patients with Dupuytren's contracture expressed a higher percenta...

Transforming growth factor-betas (TGF-betas) are pleiotropic cytokines involved in development and maintenance of the nervous system. In several neural lesion paradigms, TGF-beta1 exerts potent neuroprotective effects. Neurons treated with TGF-beta1 activated the canonical TGF-beta receptor I/activin-like kinase receptor 5 (ALK5) pathway. The transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappa...

CD69 is induced after activation of leukocytes at inflammatory sites, but its physiological role during inflammation remains unknown. We explored the role of CD69 in autoimmune reactivity by analyzing a model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in WT and CD69-deficient mice. CD69-/- mice showed higher incidence and severity of CIA, with exacerbated T and B cell immune responses to type II colla...

1. Fibroblast cultures were established from biopsies of hypertrophic scar and normal dermis taken from nine patients recovering from second- and third-degree burns. The capacity of these fibroblasts to synthesize the small proteoglycan decorin was assessed by quantitative Western blot analysis of conditioned medium collected from confluent cultures. Levels of mRNA for decorin were assessed by ...

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...

The transforming growth factor-beta superfamily is thought to be involved in the regulation and control of growth and differentiation. These growth factors signal through transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptors. The activation of type I receptor kinase phosphorylates a family of intracellular signalling proteins called Smads. In the present study, we wanted to localize type I and type I...

There is strong evidence to implicate transforming growth factor-beta in the remodeling that occurs in asthma, as levels are increased in bronchial lavage fluid and gene expression is increased in bronchial tissue. Transforming growth factor-beta is also known to increase the release of collagen from airway smooth muscle. Here we identify for the first time a possible mechanism for the effects ...