The primary cilium at the helm: gatekeeper of TGF-β superfamily signaling in development, homeostasis, and disease

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily is crucial for regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and tissue homeostasis, and plays a central role in embryonic development and function of tissues and organs. Dysregulation of these pathways contributes to a broad spectrum of diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, and developmental disorders. The present review explores how the primary cilium, a specialized signaling organelle, orchestrates TGF-β superfamily signaling, with a focus on emerging evidence of its role in heart and brain development, as well as in tissue homeostasis.