[HTML][HTML] Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) directly activates the JAK1-STAT3 axis to induce hepatic fibrosis in coordination with the SMAD pathway

LY Tang, M Heller, Z Meng, LR Yu, Y Tang… - Journal of Biological …, 2017 - ASBMB
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signals through both SMAD and non-SMAD pathways
to elicit a wide array of biological effects. Existing data have shown the association and
coordination between STATs and SMADs in mediating TGF-β functions in hepatic cells, but it
is not clear how STATs are activated under these circumstances. Here, we report that JAK1
is a constitutive TGFβRI binding protein and is absolutely required for phosphorylation of
STATs in a SMAD-independent manner within minutes of TGF-β stimulation. Following the …