Transforming growth factor (TGF) β plays an important role in normal pulmonary
morphogenesis and function and in the pathogenesis of lung disease. The effect of TGFβ is
regulated via a selective pathway of TGFβ synthesis and signaling that involves activation of
latent TGFβ, specific TGFβ receptors, and intracellular signaling via Smad molecules. All
three isoforms of TGFβ are expressed at high levels during normal lung development, being
particularly important for branching morphogenesis and epithelial cell differentiation with …