TGF-β and its related factors regulate a broad range of cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and adhesion. These factors are also very important in the pathogenesis of cancer and many other diseases. Although much has been known about the TGF-β signaling pathway since the discovery of Smads 15 years ago, remarkable progress has been made in revealing details of different regulatory mechanisms that afford a full range of control of the biological functions of these factors in the TGF-β family. Specific physiological and pathological roles of TGF-β/Smad in different cellular context also start to emerge. This collection of review articles provides a broad, albeit not all-inclusive, overview of the latest breakthroughs and developments in TGF-β signaling and biology.
Dr Ying Zhang