Gene polymorphisms in the secretory signal peptide of TGF-β1 affect the cellular synthesis, secretion and processing of TGF-β1 and secretion is modulated by the latent TGF-β bindi…

Aims: We have demonstrated that gene polymorphisms in the coding region of TGF-β1 contribute to the outcome of fibrogenesis in patients suffering from Hepatitis C infection [1, 2]. In addition, the polymorphism at codon 25 from arginine to proline was previously shown to be associated with interindividual variation in levels of TGF-β1 production [3]. Aims: In this study, we analyzed the impact of gene polymorphisms at codon10 (Leu or Pro) and codon 25 (Arg or Pro) and the effects of LTBP-1 and furin for expression, secretion, and biological activation of TGF-β1. We further investigated the cellular pathway of TG…