TGF-beta Superfamily Signaling in the Eye: Implications for Ocular Pathologies

The TGF-beta signaling pathway plays a crucial role in several key aspects of development and tissue homeostasis. TGF-beta ligands and their mediators have been shown to be important regulators of ocular physiology and their dysregulation has been described in several eye pathologies. TGF-beta signaling participates in regulating several key developmental processes in the eye, including angiogenesis and neurogenesis. Inadequate TGF-beta signaling has been associated with defective angiogenesis, vascular barrier function, unfavorable inflammatory responses, and tissue fibrosis. In addition, experimental models of corneal neovascularization, diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, glaucoma, or corneal injury suggest that aberrant TGF-beta signaling may contribute to the pathological features of these conditions, showing the potential of modulating TGF-beta signaling to treat eye diseases. This review highlights the key roles of TGF-beta family members in ocular physiology and in eye diseases, and reviews approaches targeting the TGF-beta signaling as potential treatment options.