Book chapter
Regulation of TGF-β Signaling and Metastatic Progression by Tumor Microenvironments
Signaling Pathways and Molecular Mediators in Metastasis, pp.115-141
Springer Netherlands
01/01/2014
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-2558-4_5
Abstract
The TGF-β signaling system comprises a complex and dynamic cascade of molecular interactions that invoke a variety of intracellular and extracellular reactions that coalesce to maintain tissue homeostasis. A rapidly accumulating body of scientific literature clearly demonstrates a conversion in TGF-β function from that of a powerful tumor suppressor in normal epithelium and early-stage carcinomas to that of a prometastatic molecule in their late-stage counterparts. Collectively, this malicious switch in TGF-β behavior is termed the “TGF-β Paradox.” Historically, cell autonomous changes that transpire during tumor development and progression have been studied extensively as a means to decipher the “TGF-β Paradox.” Although highly informative and intriguing, these findings have yet to unravel the molecular underpinnings of the “TGF-β Paradox,” thereby suggesting involvement of additional signaling components and players that originate beyond the confines of developing carcinomas. Indeed, recent studies have been directed at interrogating the microenvironments of developing carcinomas and how changes within this unique cellular niche manifest the “TGF-β Paradox.” For instance, tumor microenvironments house an array of essential cellular, structural, and humoral factors that include stromal cells and altered elastic moduli, integrins and their engagement of matrix proteins, hypoxic zones, and a host of cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines that collectively influence the response of carcinoma cells to TGF-β. Here we review recent findings demonstrating the importance of the tumor microenvironment to regulate TGF-β signaling and its stimulation of metastatic progression. In addition, we also highlight recent in vitro and in vivo scientific advances capable of recapitulating various aspects of the metastatic process and its regulation by TGF-β. Indeed, incorporating and extending these novel systems to analyses of the “TGF-β Paradox” may offer new inroads in resolving this enigma and improving the overall survival of cancer patients.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Regulation of TGF-β Signaling and Metastatic Progression by Tumor Microenvironments
- Creators
- Michael K. Wendt - Case Western Reserve UniversityWilliam P. Schiemann - Case Western Reserve University
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Signaling Pathways and Molecular Mediators in Metastasis, pp.115-141
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands; Dordrecht
- DOI
- 10.1007/978-94-007-2558-4_5
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2014
- Academic Unit
- Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984460332402771
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