The TGF-β pathway plays a key role in aortic aneurysms

• Published in: Clinica chimica acta 2020-02, Vol.501, p.222-228
• Main Authors: Tingting, Tang, Wenjing, Fan, Qian, Zeng, Hengquan, Wan, Simin, Zhao, Zhisheng, Jiang, Shunlin, Qu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aneurysm; Aortic dissection; Canonical TGF-β signaling; Non-canonical TGF-β signaling
• ISSN: 0009-8981; 1873-3492
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2019.10.042

•In this review, we mainly summarized the role of TGF-β signaling pathway in aortic aneurysms, and compared the difference between classical TGF-β pathway and non-classical TGF-β pathway in aortic aneurysms.•TGF-β pathway can be used as a drug target to alleviate aortic aneurysm.•TGF-β signaling pathway is necessary to maintain vascular function, but overactivation will promote aneurysms, over-inhibition leading to bypass pathway overactivation will also promote the occurrence of aneurysms. Aortic dissection and aortic aneurysms are currently among the most high-risk cardiovascular diseases due to their rapid onset and high mortality. Although aneurysm research has been extensive, the pathogenesis remains unknown. Studies have found that the TGF-β/Smad pathway and aneurysm formation appear linked. For example, the TGF-β signaling pathway was significantly activated in aneurysm development and aortic dissection. Aneurysms are not, however, mitigated following knockdown of TGF-β signaling pathway-related genes. Incidence and mortality rate of ruptured thoracic aneurysms increase with the down-regulation of the classical TGF-β signaling pathway. In this review, we summarize recent findings and evaluate the differential role of classical and non-classical TGF-β pathways on aortic aneurysm. It is postulated that the TGF-β signaling pathway is necessary to maintain vascular function, but over-activation will promote aneurysms whereas over-inhibition will lead to bypass pathway over-activation and promote aneurysm occurrence.