Distribution of transforming growth factor beta in a two-week-old human embryo

Using immunohistochemical methods we have investigated the presence of transforming growth factors beta 1, beta 2 and beta 1 precursor in a two-week-old bilaminar human embryo. TGF-beta 1 precursor was seen in both the epiblast and the hypoblast. In contrast to the widespread localization of TGF-beta 1 precursor in the embryo proper, antibodies to the mature TGF-beta 1 peptide localized preferentially to the hypoblast with only weak staining in the epiblast. Staining with antibodies to TGF-beta 2 was generally weak in both the epiblast and hypoblast layers of the embryo proper. These results show that TGF-beta 1 and beta 2 peptides are detectable as early as the second week of human development.