Endothelial Cell TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-Beta) Signaling Regulates Venous Adaptive Remodeling to Improve Arteriovenous Fistula Patency

Inhibition of TGF-β signaling with SB431542-containing nanoparticles significantly reduced p-Smad2–positive cells in the arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) wall during the early maturation phase and was associated with decreased AVF wall thickness that showed both decreased collagen density and decreased smooth muscle cell proliferation.