Tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting role of Tgf-Beta in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Tgf-Beta is a pleiotropic cytokine with diverse functions on hepatic cells. The well-known function of Tgf-Beta in pathogenesis of liver disease is to stimulate liver fibrosis that often precedes the onset of liver cancer. While Tgf-Beta-mediated fibrosis seems to make liver more prone to the development of liver cancer, Tgf-Beta suppresses initial malignant transformation of hepatic cells thru regulation of proliferation and apoptosis. On the other hand, Tgf-Beta has shown to act as an inducer of tumor development thru enhancement of metastatic process. Additionally, it has been shown that Tgf-Beta signaling in hepatocytes promotes hepatocarcinogenesis caused by certain genetic conditions. This review highlights observations that have improved an understanding of how Tgf-Beta contributes to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.