Figure 4.

Model for the modulation of TGF-β signaling pathways by integrin-associated proteins. ECM substrate binding to integrins results in activation of FAK, which in turn can modulate the activity of TAK1 jointly with TβR complexes. In addition, the presence of ILK in dermal fibroblasts is necessary for normal phosphorylation, and thus activation of Smad proteins in response to stimulation by TGF-β. Several pools of ILK appear to exist in cells. Whether the ILK pool that modulates Smad phosphorylation is also associated with integrins still remains to be determined. To see this illustration in color, the reader is referred to the web version of this article at www.liebertpub.com/wound