Abstract
Members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family of ligands exhibit potent growth-suppressive and/or apoptosis-inducing effects on different types of cells. They perform essential roles in the elimination of damaged or abnormal cells from healthy tissues. On the other hand, TGF-βs have also been shown to act as tumor-promoting cytokines in a number of malignancies that are capable of stimulating extracellular matrix production, cell migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune suppression. Dissecting the complex, multifaceted roles of different TGF-β-related peptides especially during the development of pathological conditions and in carcinogenesis is an area of continuous research and development. The characterization of EGF-CFC proteins as essential co-receptors that contribute to the modulation of the physiological activities of some of the TGF-β ligands will be beneficial for future medical research and the adaptation and possible readjustment of currently applied therapeutic regimes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 249-255 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Experimental Cell Research |
Volume | 310 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1 2005 |
Keywords
- Apoptosis
- Cancer
- Cripto-1
- EGF-CFC Proteins
- Signal Transduction Cascades
- TGF-β
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cell Biology