ACTIVATION OF LATENT TGFβ BY ΑVΒ1 INTEGRIN: OF POTENTIAL IMPORTANCE IN MYOFIBROBLAST ACTIVATION IN FIBROSIS

ABSTRACT Cell--mediated activation of latent TGF--β1 is intimately involved with tissue repair and fibrosis in all organs. Previously, it was shown that the integrin β1 subunit was requred for activation of latent TGF--β1 and skin fibrosis. A recent study by Henderson and colleagues (Nature Medicine 19,1617-1624, 2013) used three different in vivo models of fibrosis to show that integrin αv subunit was required for fibrogenesis. Through a process of elimination, the authors conclude that in vivo, the little--studied αvβ1 could be the major integrin responsible for TGF--β activation by myofibroblasts. Thus targeting this integrin might be a useful therapy for fibrosis