Semaphorin 7A plays a critical role in TGF-beta1-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Semaphorin (SEMA) 7A regulates neuronal and immune function. In these studies, we tested the hypothesis that SEMA 7A is also a critical regulator of tissue remodeling. These studies demonstrate that SEMA 7A and its receptors, plexin C1 and beta1 integrins, are stimulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) in the murine lung. They also demonstrate that SEMA 7A plays a critical role in TGF-beta(1)-induced fibrosis, myofibroblast hyperplasia, alveolar remodeling, and apoptosis. TGF-beta(1) stimulated SEMA 7A via a largely Smad 3-independent mechanism and stimulated SEMA 7A receptors, matrix proteins, CCN proteins, fibroblast growth factor 2, interleukin 13 receptor components, proteases, antiprotease, and apoptosis regulators via Smad 2/3-independent and SEMA 7A-dependent mechanisms.

SUBMITTER: Kang HR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2118575 | biostudies-literature | 2007 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature