Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) (TGF-β)

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine belonging to a large superfamily of growth factors that regulate diverse cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, and immune suppression (UniProt P01137). In healthy tissues, TGF-β acts as a potent tumor suppressor by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis; however, in advanced stages of cancer, it often promotes tumor progression by stimulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and immune evasion (PMID: 28115566). The three mammalian isoforms (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) signal through a heteromeric complex of type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors, primarily activating the SMAD transcription factor pathway (PMID: 30622367). Therapeutic strategies targeting TGF-β ligands include monoclonal antibodies and trap proteins designed to sequester the cytokine and prevent receptor activation (PMID: 32806432). While these agents show promise in treating fibrotic diseases and refractory cancers, clinical development has been challenged by safety concerns such as cardiotoxicity and the development of benign skin tumors (PMID: 25852126).

Other names

TGF-betaTGFBTransforming growth factor beta 1Transforming growth factor beta 2Transforming growth factor beta 3TGF-beta 1/2/3

Neutralization and sequestration of TGF-beta ligands to prevent binding to TGF-beta receptors and subsequent activation of SMAD-dependent and SMAD-independent signaling pathways.