TGFβ Signaling and Cardiovascular Diseases

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) family members are involved in a wide range of diverse functions and play key roles in embryogenesis, development and tissue homeostasis. Perturbation of TGF beta signaling may lead to vascular and other diseases. In vitro studies have provided evidence that TGF beta family members have a wide range of diverse effects on vascular cells, which are highly dependent on cellular context. Consistent with these observations genetic studies in mice and humans showed that TGF beta family members have ambiguous effects on the function of the cardiovascular system. In this review we discuss the recent advances on TGF beta signaling in (cardio) vascular diseases, and describe the value of TGF beta signaling as both a disease marker and therapeutic target for (cardio) vascular diseases.