Open AccessTumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting role of Tgf-Beta in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Author(s) -
Somyoth Sridurongrit
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of biology/internationa journal of biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1916-968X
pISSN - 1916-9671
DOI - 10.5539/ijb.v9n1p41
Subject(s) - hepatocellular carcinoma , tgf beta signaling pathway , cancer research , transforming growth factor beta , liver cancer , beta (programming language) , cytokine , transforming growth factor , pathogenesis , liver disease , cancer , medicine , fibrosis , apoptosis , biology , genetics , computer science , programming language
Tgf-Beta is a pleiotropic cytokine with diverse functions on hepatic cells. The well-known function of Tgf-Beta in pathogenesis of liver disease is to stimulate liver fibrosis that often precedes the onset of liver cancer. While Tgf-Beta-mediated fibrosis seems to make liver more prone to the development of liver cancer, Tgf-Beta suppresses initial malignant transformation of hepatic cells thru regulation of proliferation and apoptosis. On the other hand, Tgf-Beta has shown to act as an inducer of tumor development thru enhancement of metastatic process. Additionally, it has been shown that Tgf-Beta signaling in hepatocytes promotes hepatocarcinogenesis caused by certain genetic conditions. This review highlights observations that have improved an understanding of how Tgf-Beta contributes to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.