REGULATION AND INTERACTIONS OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA WITH CARDIOVASCULAR CELLS - IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND DISEASE

1. Transforming growth factors-beta (TGF-beta) are multifunctional pro teins that regulate cell growth, differentiation, migration and extrac ellular matrix production and have an important role in embryonic deve lopment and tissue remodelling. 2. The diverse biological actions of T GF-beta are elicited following their interaction with type I and type II TGF-beta receptors, both of which are transmembrane serine/threonin e kinases, suggesting an important role for protein phosphorylation in the mechanism of action of these cytokines on the growth of cells and their extracellular environment. 3. Alterations in TGF-beta gene expr ession and action in various cell types associated with the cardiovasc ular system may contribute to the pathophysiology of a number of disea ses, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis and restenosis, as well as the development of cardiac abnormalities.