<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<bold><italic>Introduction.</italic></bold> Tendon and ligament injuries affect people of all ages, including professional athletes. Tumor Growth Factor β (TGF- β) isoforms play a significant role in the regeneration of tendons and ligaments, such as through the recruitment of macrophages and fibroblasts or the regulation of the formation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Although the TGF- β family regulates signalling pathways related to the healing process, excessive TGF- β activation can lead to fibrosis and the formation of scars and adhesions. This article recapped the significance of TGF- β isoforms TGF- β1, TGF- β2, and TGF- β3 in the physiological healing of injured tendons and ligaments.
<bold><italic>Material and Methods.</italic></bold> A total of 1434 articles were identified using the PubMed search string (TGF-β isoforms or TGF-β1 or tgfb1 or TGF-β2 or tgfb2 or TGF-β3 or tgfb3) and (tendon or ligament). Human studies, animal models and in vitro cultures were included in the search. Forty-nine published articles were included.
<bold><italic>Results.</italic></bold> Histologic evidence demonstrated greater ligament and tendon regeneration and collagen type I expression when using TGF-β1, often leading to fibrosis. TGF-β3 inhibits the TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 by switching Smad2/3 signaling to Smad7 and CREB-1 transcription factor. There was a delay in TGF-β3 level peak compared to other isoforms.
<bold><italic>Conclusions.</italic></bold> All 3 TGF-β isoforms seem to play a significant role in the subsequent stages of healing. We state a hypothesis that during the initial phase of tendon and ligament healing, TGF-β1 levels need to be elevated. Further, TGF-β3 may inhibit the action of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2, which leads to the inhibition of inflammation and changes in ECM production, and consequently to a reduction in the level of scarring.
</abstract>

Introduction. Tendon and ligament injuries affect people of all ages, including professional athletes. Tumor Growth Factor β (TGF- β) isoforms play a significant role in the regeneration of tendons and ligaments, such as through the recruitment of macrophages and fibroblasts or the regulation of the formation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Although the TGF- β family regulates signalling pathways related to the healing process, excessive TGF- β activation can lead to fibrosis and the formation of scars and adhesions. This article recapped the significance of TGF- β isoforms TGF- β1, TGF- β2, and TGF- β3 in the physiological healing of injured tendons and ligaments.
Material and Methods. A total of 1434 articles were identified using the PubMed search string (TGF-β isoforms or TGF-β1 or tgfb1 or TGF-β2 or tgfb2 or TGF-β3 or tgfb3) and (tendon or ligament). Human studies, animal models and in vitro cultures were included in the search. Forty-nine published articles were included.
Results. Histologic evidence demonstrated greater ligament and tendon regeneration and collagen type I expression when using TGF-β1, often leading to fibrosis. TGF-β3 inhibits the TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 by switching Smad2/3 signaling to Smad7 and CREB-1 transcription factor. There was a delay in TGF-β3 level peak compared to other isoforms.
Conclusions. All 3 TGF-β isoforms seem to play a significant role in the subsequent stages of healing. We state a hypothesis that during the initial phase of tendon and ligament healing, TGF-β1 levels need to be elevated. Further, TGF-β3 may inhibit the action of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2, which leads to the inhibition of inflammation and changes in ECM production, and consequently to a reduction in the level of scarring.

TGF-Β Isoforms: TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 in Ligament and Tendon Healing

Józef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw

Charles University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport

Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"TGF-Β Isoforms: TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 in Ligament and Tendon Healing"}

Introduction. Tendon and ligament injuries affect people of all ages, including professional athletes. Tumor Growth Factor β (TGF- β) isoforms play a...

TGF-Β Isoforms: TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 in Ligament and Tendon Healing

Published Online: Jul 29, 2024

Page range: 3 - 10

Received: Nov 10, 2023

Accepted: May 22, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pjst-2024-0008

Keywords
TGF-β isoforms, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, tendon healing, ligament healing

© 2024 Katarzyna Krawczak-Wójcik et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

TGF-Β Isoforms: TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 in Ligament and Tendon Healing

Published Online: Jul 29, 2024

Page range: 3 - 10

Received: Nov 10, 2023

Accepted: May 22, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pjst-2024-0008

KeywordsTGF-β isoforms, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, tendon healing, ligament healing

© 2024 Katarzyna Krawczak-Wójcik et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
TGF-β isoforms, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, tendon healing, ligament healing