In vivo disruption of TGF-beta signaling by Smad7 in airway epithelium alleviates allergic asthma but aggravates lung carcinogenesis in mouse.

ABSTRACT:

Background

TGF-beta has been postulated to play an important role in the maintenance of epithelial homeostasis and the development of epithelium-derived cancers. However, most of previous studies are mainly focused on the function of TGF-beta in immune cells to the development of allergic asthma and how TGF-beta signaling in airway epithelium itself in allergic inflammation is largely unknown. Furthermore, the in vivo TGF-beta function specifically in the airway epithelium during lung cancer development has been largely elusive.

Methodology/principal findings

To evaluate the in vivo contribution of TGF-beta signaling in lung epithelium to the development of allergic disease and lung cancer, we generated a transgenic mouse model with Smad7, an intracellular inhibitor of TGF-b

SUBMITTER: Luo X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2854155 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature