Figure 7.

Schematic that demonstrates the involvement of TG2 in TGFβ1-mediated EndMT and its role in capillary rarefaction. Following tissue insult, increases in fibrotic cytokines such as TGFβ1 has a key role in inducing EndMT. TG2 regulates TGFβ1-mediated EndMT via the Smad2/3 signalling pathway. During EndMT, endothelial cells lose their endothelial phenotype (including their tight junctions) and develop a mesenchymal phenotype (such as increased FN deposition and αSMA expression) to become myofibroblast-like cells. Induction of myofibroblasts from endothelial cells leads to capillary rarefaction and the laying down of a disrupted fibrotic matrix leading to organ fibrosis