The role of matrix stiffness on the regulation of TGF-β signaling in ovarian fibroblasts

Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) occupies a large part of human tissues, and interacts with surrounding cells to have a great influence on physiological and pathological processes. Fibroblasts are the most important cells for the organization of the ECM, and they need to be differentiated into myofibroblasts in order to exert their functions. The two well-known factors for fibroblast differentiation are transforming factor-beta (TGF-β) and matrix stiffness. These two factors also can have a synergistic effect and have a greater impact on fibroblast differentiation than when acting individually. In this regard, it is known that matrix stiffness can produce this effect by directly regulating TGF-β signaling. Although one of the mechanisms has been shown that matrix stiffness can regulates TGF-β signaling by mechanically inducing TGF-β activation, this is just one part of the role of matrix stiffness. Therefore, in this study, through RNA sequencing, we tried to discover a different roles in the regulation of TGF-β signaling. In the future, this study is expected that it can be used for the treatment of diseases such as cancer that are closely related to the TGF-β and ECM.