Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) as a main switch has a crucial role in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) subtypes. The physiological functions of the secreted inactive TGF-beta are precisely regulated by suppressing factors, such as latency-associated peptide (LAP), latent TGF-beta-binding protein (LTBP) and fibrillin, as well as activating factors, such as integrins, proteases and thrombospondin-1. With progress in understanding the factors responsible for regulating TGF-beta functions, it has been revealed that the dysregulation of TGF-beta activation is closely associated with lung fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Since the imbalance between TGF beta-regulating factors may be one of the main reasons for different phenotypes of CRS, we reviewed the advancement in the research of TGF-beta activation and its role in CRS pathogenesis, to provide insight into the CRS investigation in human.
Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Latent TGF-beta Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Rhinitis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sinusitis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism