COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA ISOFORMS-1-3 IN HUMAN AND RABBIT DENTIN MATRICES

Previous studies have implicated transforming growth factor-beta(s)(TG F-beta) in tooth development. Here TGF-beta isoforms in dentine extrac ellular matrix were analysed because these molecules may participate i n dental tissue repair. EDTA-soluble and collagenase-released fraction s were isolated from human crown and root and rabbit incisor dentine s amples and analysed for TGF-beta isoforms. TGF-beta(1) was the major i soform detected in all samples and the only isoform detected in human dentine samples. TGF-beta(2) was detected only in the collagenase-rele ased fraction of rabbit incisor dentine and was present at low levels. TGF-beta(3) was detected in both EDTA-soluble and collagenase-release d fractions of rabbit dentine. Greater levels of the TGF-beta(1) isofo rm were detected in the rabbit than human dentine samples and some dif ferences in distribution amongst the two tissue fractions were observe d between these species. The presence of these isoforms of TGF-beta in dentine may provide a reservoir of growth factor in the matrix that c ould participate in processes leading to tissue repair after injury. ( C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.