Targeting TGF-ß signaling for the treatment of fibrosis.

ABSTRACT

Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is widely recognized as a core pathway of fibrosis. Inhibition of TGF-ß signaling may thus offer potential for antifibrotic therapies. Long-term inhibition of TGF-ß signaling at the level of its isoforms and receptors can be associated with unacceptable adverse effects. However, TGF-ß regulates a myriad of intracellular signaling cascades to transmit its profibrotic effects and several of those pathways offer potential for pharmacologic intervention. Moreover, the multiple interactions of TGF-ß with other profibrotic pathways also yielded candidates for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we discuss selected targets within the TGF-ß pathway with high translational potential.