Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2000-7-6
pubmed:abstractText
The myofibroblast is responsible for the generation of contractile force associated with wound contraction and pathological contractures and is characterized by the presence of alpha-smooth muscle (alpha-sm) actin-containing stress fibers, vinculin-containing fibronexus adhesion complexes, and fibronectin fibrils containing the ED-A splice variant. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) can promote the expression of alpha-sm actin in myofibroblasts, but the functional significance of this increased expression is unclear. In this study, we demonstrate, using the stress-relaxed collagen lattice contraction assay, that TGF-beta1 promoted a dose-dependent increase in the generation of contractile force in myofibroblasts and a concomitant increase in the expression of alpha-sm actin. We also demonstrate that TGF-beta1 enhanced the formation of the structural elements important in myofibroblast contractile force generation and transmission, including stress fibers, vinculin-containing fibronexus adhesion complexes, and fibronectin fibrils, and that this enhancement occurred prior to, and independent of, alpha-sm actin expression. This differentiated myofibroblast phenotype was not stable. Removal of TGF-beta1 resulted in reduced expression of alpha-sm actin as well as a decreased assembly of stress fibers and vinculin-containing adhesion complexes; however, there was no reduction in fibronectin fibrils. We conclude that TGF-beta1 promotes the morphological and functional differentiation of the myofibroblast by first enhancing the formation of the structural elements characteristic of the myofibroblast followed by increased expression of alpha-sm actin and contractile force generation.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
0014-4827
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
25
pubmed:volume
257
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
180-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2000
pubmed:articleTitle
Transforming growth factor-beta1 promotes the morphological and functional differentiation of the myofibroblast.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73104, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't