The role of TGFβ in hematopoiesis and myeloid disorders

The role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) signaling in embryological development and tissue homeostasis has been thoroughly characterized. Its canonical downstream cascade is well known, even though its true complexity and other noncanonical pathways are still being explored. TGF beta signaling has been described as an important pathway involved in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. In the hematopoietic compartment, the TGF beta pathway is an important regulator of proliferation and differentiation of different cell types and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a diverse variety of bone marrow disorders. Due to its importance in hematological diseases, novel inhibitors of this pathway are being developed against a number of hematopoietic disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In this review, we provide an overview of the TGF beta pathway, focusing on its role in hematopoiesis and impact on myeloid disorders. We will discuss therapeutic interventions with promising results against MDS.