This review describes precisely the consequence of TGFb1 prevalence in the organism, and its significant influence on physiological and pathophysiological processes. Organ and tissue distinctiveness hinder unambiguous characterisation of the cytokine. However, there are constant functions of TGFb1 inducing no controversy: it participates in foetal development, control of cell growth and differentiation, induces fibrosis and scar formation (the process of 'wound healing'), causes the suppression of immune response, is involved in angiogenesis, the development of tumours, and inflammatory processes. Thus, TGFb1 is a multifunctional cytokine. There are three fundamental directions of its activities: I. TGFb1 regulates cell proliferation, growth, differentiation and cells movement. II. TGFb1 has immunomodulatory effects. III. TGFb1 has profibrogenic effects. TGFb1 action can be local and systemic. This review describes TGFb1 in pathology: colitis ulcerosa, Crohn's disease, coeliac disease, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic foot, pulmonary hypertension, and Alzheimer's disease. TGFb1 and its receptors are also of interest to endocrinologists. Lack of TGFb1-dependent growth control may result in oncogenesis: papillary, follicular and anaplastic thyroid cancers, prostate, breast and uterine cervical cancer, oesophagus, gastric, colorectal and liver cancers, NSCLC, and malignant melanoma. Excessive TGFb1 activity is an integral part of the fibrotic processes occurring in the response to injury. An increased TGFb1 expression has been observed in patients with pulmonary, kidney, and liver fibrosis. In chronic hepatitis, the prolonged stimulation of hepatic stellate cells being the result of chronic damage to hepatocytes results in the release of profibrogenic abundant factors such as TGFb1 and leads to the development of liver cirrhosis. The results of experimental procedures and treatment known as anti-TGFb1 strategy acting against the fibrosis in various tissues leads to hope regarding the use of anti-TGFb1 strategy in clinical practice.
StreszczenieW artykule poglądowym szczegółowo opisano konsekwencje rozpowszechnienia TGFb1 w organizmie oraz jego wpływ na szereg procesów fizjologicznych i patofizjologicznych. Istotne odrębności narządowe i tkankowe utrudniają jednoznaczną charakterystykę tej cytokiny. Istnieją jednak stałe funkcje TGFb1 nie wzbudzające kontrowersji: uczestniczy w rozwoju płodu, regulacji wzrostu i różnicowa-nia komórek, indukuje proces włóknienia i bliznowacenia (proces "gojenia rany"), powoduje hamowanie odpowiedzi immunologicznej, uczestniczy w angiogenezie, w rozwoju nowotworów, w procesach zapalnych -jest więc cytokiną wieloczynnościową. Można wyróżnić trzy fundamentalne kierunki jego działania: I -TGFb1 reguluje proliferację, wzrost, różnicowanie i przemieszczanie komórek; II -TGFb1 wykazuje działanie immunomodulujące; III -TGFb1 wykazuje działanie profibrogenne. Działanie TGFb1 może mieć charakter miejscowy i systemowy. Opisano udział TGFb1 w stanach patologicznyc...
