Abstract
Cell-mediated activation of latent TGF-β1 is intimately involved with tissue repair and fibrosis in all organs. Previously, it was shown that the integrin β1 subunit was required for activation of latent TGF-β1 and skin fibrosis. A recent study by Henderson and colleagues (Nature Medicine 19,1617–1624, 2013) used three different in vivo models of fibrosis to show that integrin αv subunit was required for fibrogenesis. Through a process of elimination, the authors conclude that in vivo, the little-studied αvβ1 could be the major integrin responsible for TGF-β activation by myofibroblasts. Thus targeting this integrin might be a useful therapy for fibrosis.
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Leask, A., Hutchenreuther, J. Activation of latent TGFβ by αvβ1 integrin: of potential importance in myofibroblast activation in fibrosis. J. Cell Commun. Signal. 8, 171–172 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-014-0221-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-014-0221-2