How can transforming growth factor beta be targeted usefully to combat liver fibrosis?

FW Shek, RC Benyon - European journal of gastroenterology & …, 2004 - journals.lww.com
Blockade of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-â) activity in vivo in animal models has
proven to be an effective means of inhibiting the fibrotic response to injury in various organs.
Similarly, transgenic animals in which TGF-â1 expression is artificially enhanced show
marked spontaneous fibrosis or increased fibrotic response to injury. TGF-â is known to
effect fibroplasias, not only by its well known action of increasing extracellular matrix
synthesis but also by coordinately regulating key proteins which mediate connective tissue …