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- 2018
Unanswered Questions Regarding Sex and BMP/TGF-β SignalingDOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb6020014 Keywords: BMP, TGF-β, signaling, sex, chromosomes, XIST, genomic imprinting, hormones, fibrosis Abstract: Abstract Crosstalk between the BMP and TGF-β signaling pathways regulates many complex developmental processes from the earliest stages of embryogenesis throughout adult life. In many situations, the two signaling pathways act reciprocally. For example, TGF-β signaling is generally pro-fibrotic, whereas BMP signaling is anti-fibrotic and pro-calcific. Sex-specific differences occur in many diseases including cardiovascular pathologies. Differing ratios of fibrosis and calcification in stenotic valves suggests that BMP/TGF-β signaling may vary in men and women. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of the interplay between sex and BMP/TGF-β signaling and pose several unanswered questions. View Full-Tex
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