Title:Transforming Growth Factor Beta Type I Role in Neurodegeneration: Implications for Alzheimer´s Disease
VOLUME: 19 ISSUE: 12
Author(s):Lisbell D. Estrada*, Luciana Oliveira-Cruz and Daniel Cabrera
Affiliation:Centro Integrativo de Biologia y Quimica Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O Higgins, Santiago, Centro Integrativo de Biologia y Quimica Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O Higgins, Santiago, Departamento de Ciencias Quimicas y Biologicas, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Bernardo O Higgins, Santiago
Keywords:Transforming growth factor-β1, Alzheimer´s disease, amyloid-beta, oligomers, Smad signaling, neuroprotection,
neuroinflammation, microglia.
Abstract:Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition affecting millions of people worldwide.
Alzheimer's symptoms include memory loss and cognitive decline. Pathologically, the hallmarks of
Alzheimer´s are the presence of Amyloid beta-plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal loss. Unfortunately,
no cure is presently available and current treatments are only symptomatic. Transforming
growth factor beta type I (TGF-β1) is a trophic factor involved in neuronal development and synaptic
plasticity. Impairment of TGF-β1 signaling is associated with exacerbated Aβ deposition and neurofibrillary
tangle formation, which increases neurodegeneration. Aging and chronic inflammation reduce
the canonical TGF-β1/Smad signaling, facilitating cytotoxic activation of microglia and microgliamediated
neurodegeneration This review gathers together evidence for a neuroprotective role of TGF-β
in Alzheimer’s disease. Restoring TGF-β1 signaling impairment may be a new pharmacological strategy
Alzheimer’s treatment.
