Targeting Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptors in Pulmonary Hypertension

Abstract

The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily includes several groups of multifunctional proteins that form two major branches, namely the TGF-β/activin/nodal branch and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/growth differentiation factor (GDF) branch. The response to the activation of these two branches, acting through canonical (Smad 2/3 and Smad 1/5/8, respectively) and noncanonical signalling pathways, are diverse and vary amongst different environmental conditions and cell types. An extensive body of data gathered in recent years has demonstrated a central role for the cross-talk between these two branches in a number of cellular processes that include the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as the transduction of signalling cascades for the development and maintenance of different tissues and organs. Importantly, alterations in these pathways that include heterozygous germline mutations and/or alterations in the expression of several constitutive members have been identified in patients with familial/heritable or idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Consequently, loss or dysfunctions in the delicate, finely tuned balance between the TGF-β/activin/nodal branch and the BMP/GDF branch are currently viewed as the major molecular defect playing a critical role in PAH predisposition and disease progression. Here we review the role of the TGF-β/activin/nodal branch in PAH and illustrate how this knowledge has not only provided insight to understand its pathogenesis, but also paved the way for possible novel therapeutic approaches.