Signaling moderation: TGF-β in exocrine gland development, maintenance, and regulation.

The TGF-beta superfamily is involved in embryonic development and regulation of many cellular processes. Importantly, these signaling molecules have been increasingly revealed to play a crucial role in exocrine gland maintenance and regulation. TGF-beta is involved in controlling the branching morphogenesis that is common to most exocrine glands, including: mammary gland, salivary, prostate, and in sebaceous gland regulation. In this review, we explore the molecular mechanisms and uses of TGF-beta in crafting the microenvironment of epithelial tissues surrounding these exocrine glands and how perturbations in the signaling pathway affect their differentiation and proper development.