Emerging roles of TGF-β co-receptors in human disease

TGF-β signaling is both regulated and mediated by signaling co- receptors. Several TGF-β co-receptors have been identifi ed including endoglin (CD105), the type III TGF-β receptor (TβRIII, betaglycan), neuropilin-1/2, syndecan- 2, CD109, and LRP1. These co-receptors serve diverse functions including the regulation of ligand access to other TGF-β receptors and receptor traffi cking. The TGF-β coreceptors can also signal directly. The TGF-β co-receptors are broadly expressed, have essential roles in embryonic development, and are frequently altered during disease progression. TGF-β co-receptors regulate cancer initiation and progression through effects on cell growth, migration, invasion, proliferation, and angiogenesis. In addition to their roles in cancer, these co- receptors are dysregulated during development, in vascular disease and fibrotic disorders. Collectively, the TGF-β coreceptors influence disease biology through complex mechanisms involving the regulation of growth factor-dependent and independent signaling events as well as through interactions with diverse scaffolding protein partners.

Duke Scholars

Author Gerard Conrad Blobe Medicine, Medical Oncology