Smad3 mediates TGF-β1 induction of VEGF production in lung fibroblasts

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a key factor in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key angiogenic factor, and vascular change is one of the features of airway remodeling. We examined the effect of TGF-β1 on VEGF production by fibroblasts from mice lacking expression of Smad2 or Smad3 as well as human lung fibroblasts treated with or without Smad2 or Smad3 siRNA. TGF-β1 stimulated VEGF production by fibroblasts from Smad2 deficient animals and wildtype animals. In contrast, TGF-β1 did not affect VEGF production by fibroblasts from Samd3 deficient mice. Similarly, TGF-β1 failed to stimulate VEGF production by HFL-1 cells treated with Samd3 siRNA but significantly increased VEGF production by the cells treated with Smad2 siRNA. These result suggest that TGF-β1 stimulation of VEGF production by fibroblasts is regulated by Smad3 but not by Smad2 signaling.