Elevated transforming growth factor β signaling activation in β-actin-knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts enhances myofibroblast features.

ABSTRACT: Signaling by the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is an essential pathway regulating a variety of cellular events. TGF-β is produced as a latent protein complex and is required to be activated before activating the receptor. The mechanical force at the cell surface is believed to be a mechanism for latent TGF-β activation. Using β-actin null mouse embryonic fibroblasts as a model, in which actin cytoskeleton and cell-surface biophysical features are dramatically altered, we reveal increased TGF-β1 activation and the upregulation of TGF-β target genes. In β-actin null cells, we show evidence that the enhanced TGF-β signaling relies on the active utilization of latent TGF-β1 in the cell culture medium. TGF-β signaling activation contributes to the elevated reactive oxygen species product

SUBMITTER: Xie X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6220129 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature